Ellen Mary Smith passed away on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, in Vancouver Washington at a care facility.  She leaves behind a lifetime of kindness, hard work and quiet service to others.  Ellen was born November 4, 1943, in Spokane, Washington.  During her early childhood her family lived in Lyle, Washington where her father worked for the Spokane, Portland & Seattle (S.P.& S.) Railroad as a track inspector, and she was soon joined by her brother, Robert, and her sister, Marjorie.  Ellen began her first school years in Lyle until in 1951, her father transferred to a different railroad job as a section foreman in Camas, Washington, allowing him to have more time with his family. Ellen and her siblings then attended primary school in Camas, later transferring to St. Joseph Catholic School in Vancouver, Washington.  After completing the eighth grade and graduating from there, Ellen attended high school at Providence Academy in Vancouver where she graduated in 1962.  These years of early commuting were accomplished using carpools with other families.  Upon her high school graduation, Ellen completed a course at Portland, Oregon's, College of Beauty and became a licensed beautician. She worked in Portland as a beautician for five years before deciding to pursue bookkeeping, earning a certificate from Chase Business School in Vancouver, Washington.  Her next job was at Walter's Studio in Camas, where she was a salesclerk and was trained to develop black-and-white prints, and to correct negatives for finished commercial, school and family portraits.  Ellen was also later employed as a salesclerk at Highway Pharmacy in Camas and at the Washougal Florist Shop.  She was married and later divorced from William (Kerry) Smith, and then started her own business as a housecleaner.  Through her dedication, integrity, and genuine care for her clients, Ellen built her business and continued serving the community for approximately 30 years, retiring in 2025.

Faith and service were central to Ellen's life.  She was a devoted member of the Catholic Daughters at St. Thomas Acquinas Catholic Church in Camas.  She generously volunteered her time with the Vancouver Seaman's Center, transporting visiting seamen to/from the Center to shopping centers.  She also volunteered at Share House, helping provide meals to those in need.  Her compassion and quiet generosity touched many lives.

Ellen also found joy in life's simple pleasures by gathering around the table for pinochle and other card games, challenging herself with crossword and jigsaw puzzles, and creating beautiful needlework.  She treasured time spent with family and friends. 

Ellen was preceded in death by her parents, Raphael and Dorothy Straughan.  She is survived by her younger brother Robert Straughan and his wife, Sally (Varney) Straughan, their children, Diane Wardlow (John), and Jason Straughan (Wendy), and children;  her younger sister, Marjorie Kauffman, and her husband Jerome (Jerry) Kauffman, along with many extended family members, friends and all whose lives she touched. 

Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at St. Thomas Acquinas Catholic Church, 324 NE Oak Street, Camas, Washington, beginning with Visitation at 10:00am, followed by recitation of the Rosary at 10:30am, and Funeral Mass at 11:00am.  Interment will immediately follow at Camas Cemetery.