Sadly, after learning that her boyfriend had been killed in Vietnam, Ellen committed suicide on June 23, 1971. See Connie Stanley's beautiful tribute below.
Ellen was a dear and loyal friend. The two of us met at South School Elementary and remained friends through NCHS and beyond. Ellen's compassion for others made her a sensitive soul, too tender for the vagaries of life.
On the playground at South we used to play tetherball tenaciously in long running matches that lasted weeks at a time. Ellen's notable athlethic abilities were often seen in the tournaments run by the NCHS Girl's Sports department before school. We continued and expanded our friendly competition throughout the year in gymnastics, badminton, fencing and other sports.
Ellen's agile mind often picked up glints of humor that passed others by. That's only one of the enduring qualities that endeared her to me. Right before graduation she provided a safe haven for me when I needed it most. My longstanding regret is that I could not do the same for Ellen after her boy friend died in Viet Nam that summer of 1971 when the war was already lost. Both their deaths became part of the tragedy of that war.
Ellen Souden was my very best friend from first grade on. I can't say our friendship ever ended but we were separated with different schools. We had the most fun in the world playing at her house or mine as were both Tom-boys. But Ellen was not just a playmate, she was smart as a pistol, but super sensitive to others feelings too. I remember reading The old man in the sea to her one night cuz she left her book at school and it was due. When I finished, I found she had fallen asleep. At what part, I didn't know! But she scored higher on the test the next day than I did! One of the worst days of my memory was when I drove home to ct. from Atlanta ( Emory U.). When I pulled into my driveway, My neighbors mom was standing there waiting for me. She didn't say anything, but I knew immediately that my good friend was gone. God bless you Ellen. You were Amazing! You still are. ❤️
Connie Stanley (Vickery)
Ellen was a dear and loyal friend. The two of us met at South School Elementary and remained friends through NCHS and beyond. Ellen's compassion for others made her a sensitive soul, too tender for the vagaries of life.
On the playground at South we used to play tetherball tenaciously in long running matches that lasted weeks at a time. Ellen's notable athlethic abilities were often seen in the tournaments run by the NCHS Girl's Sports department before school. We continued and expanded our friendly competition throughout the year in gymnastics, badminton, fencing and other sports.
Ellen's agile mind often picked up glints of humor that passed others by. That's only one of the enduring qualities that endeared her to me. Right before graduation she provided a safe haven for me when I needed it most. My longstanding regret is that I could not do the same for Ellen after her boy friend died in Viet Nam that summer of 1971 when the war was already lost. Both their deaths became part of the tragedy of that war.
Dr. Susan Santry (-)
Ellen Souden was my very best friend from first grade on. I can't say our friendship ever ended but we were separated with different schools. We had the most fun in the world playing at her house or mine as were both Tom-boys. But Ellen was not just a playmate, she was smart as a pistol, but super sensitive to others feelings too. I remember reading The old man in the sea to her one night cuz she left her book at school and it was due. When I finished, I found she had fallen asleep. At what part, I didn't know! But she scored higher on the test the next day than I did! One of the worst days of my memory was when I drove home to ct. from Atlanta ( Emory U.). When I pulled into my driveway, My neighbors mom was standing there waiting for me. She didn't say anything, but I knew immediately that my good friend was gone. God bless you Ellen. You were Amazing! You still are. ❤️