Ellen E. Bates, 89, of Tenants Harbor, Maine, died of pancreatic cancer on October 17, 2025.

Ellen Clare Eyler was born on April 19, 1936, in Grand Forks, North Dakota, to Ervan Charles “Bill” Eyler, a telegraph editor for the Grand Forks Herald, and Alma Sophia Elizabeth “Dot” Norlin, a church organist and piano teacher.  Ellen graduated from Grand Forks Central High in 1954 and earned her B.A. from the University of North Dakota and completed the Radcliffe publishing program, both in 1958.

Ellen’s career began at the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C., and there she authored Early English Gardens and Garden Books, part of a series on Tudor and Stuart civilization. 

She joined the American Heritage Publishing Company in New York City as picture editor for the textbook division, the Horizon Book series, and American Heritage Magazine.  Ellen honed her research, editing, and writing skills on publications on English history and literature, garden design, environmental conservation, and historic preservation.  She later worked for Smithsonian Magazine, CONCERN, Inc. (an environmental education nonprofit), and the Graduate School at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

While living and working in Manhattan, Ellen met John Cecil Bates, Jr., winning him over with her famous meatloaf, sharp mind, and many interests.  They married on June 27, 1964, and together raised four children, living in Massachusetts, New York, Maryland, and their long-term home of Washington, D.C.  Summer vacations on the Maine coast led to the purchase of an old farmhouse in Tenants Harbor in 1977, and they moved there full-time in 1994.  Ellen regularly visited New York and D.C., enjoying concerts, art museums, and public gardens with family and friends.

Ellen grew up skating, sledding, and eating Swedish cookies and pancakes with her many cousins, and visiting her grandparents and great-aunt.  She had vivid memories of her father’s shifts checking the AP wire following the attack on Pearl Harbor.  Ellen was immersed early in world history and politics and always understood the importance of words and good writing.  Newspapers, magazines, and books (many children’s) filled her home and Ellen enjoyed recommending titles and participating in a neighborhood book club.

Ellen was a staunch Democrat and feminist, regularly volunteering for political campaigns and as a poll worker.  She championed conservation, preservation, and education.  She believed strongly in sustainable farming, community development, and access to food and green spaces.  She supported many organizations in a variety of roles, and gladly baked cookies and cakes to raise funds.

Ellen loved making friends and often entertained over delicious home-cooked meals.  She had an amazing memory, loved telling stories, and loudly debated others.  Ellen delighted in phone chats and sent scores of handwritten Christmas cards.  A proud Midwestern Swede, she teased any Norwegian or friend who purposely riled her up.  Ellen kept up her many friendships throughout her life.

Ellen and Jack worked hard to restore their Maine farmhouse and property.  Ellen created wonderful summers for her children as they cared for goats and horses, cut brush, mowed, peeled wallpaper, tended vegetable and flower gardens, beach-combed, and canoed on the nearby marsh. 

Ellen led boating adventures with family and friends to many islands.  Rainy days were for board games and a good book.  Ellen enjoyed watching wildlife and laughing at the antics of much-loved pets.  She was always up for a soft serve at Dorman’s, a dig though Lobster Lane Books or the summer library book sale, or seafood from a local source.  Maine winters felt like home and Ellen welcomed her children and their friends in with hot cocoa, always curious about the “conditions”.  She loved decorating her home and making the holidays special.

Ellen was close to several cousins and loved Jack, her children, and granddaughters very much.  She spent her last months enjoying family, friends, a loving and opinionated pooch, her flower gardens, and the beautiful natural world just outside.  

Ellen is survived by her husband of 61 years, John C. Bates, Jr. of Tenants Harbor, Maine; her children, Jeremy C. Bates, of New York City, Andrew J. Bates (Rebecca Rogers) of Ossining, New York, Eliot P. Bates and Emily C. Bates, both of Tenants Harbor; her grandchildren, Sarah A. Bates and Catherine M. Bates; and many cousins.

Donations may be made to St. George Community Development Corporation, Maine Farmland Trust, or Jackson Memorial Library.