Ellie Whitcomb, Founder of Local Cancer Support Group, Has Passed

Long-time Ramona resident and founder of the People Helping People cancer support group Ellie Whitcomb lost her battle with cancer on Jan. 9. 

Ellie passed peacefully at home with her family.  She was 84 years old.  

Born Eleanor Mae St. Clair on Nov. 29, 1927 in Springfield, Mass., Ellie moved to San Diego with her daughter, Sharon, in 1950.  She met Gordon “Moose” Whitcomb in 1967 and they married the next year.  Only in a family discussion several years later did they realize that they had actually met many years prior when Ellie worked as a waitress at a soda shop and Moose came there for milk shakes as it was just across the street from where he worked at a service station.

Together they became active members of Ramona.  Ellie sang in the choir at Grace Community Church.  She and Moose also hosted numerous activities for the church’s seniors at their former home on Highland Valley Road.  They were both very active as advisers to the Ramona Sheriff's Explorer group.

After being diagnosed with malignant melanoma and finding few resources in Ramona for people with cancer, Ellie founded People Helping People to assist those battling the disease.  Her work helped scores of local residents, providing them a safe place to share their feelings with others facing the same challenges.  She also became a major proponent of bringing health care facilities to Ramona.  She beat melanoma and a severe case of colon cancer during her time with the group.  Ellie regained her strength and became a cancer ward volunteer at Palomar and Pomerado hospitals.  Driving several times each week to Escondido and Poway, she logged hundreds of hours assisting with patient care.  She also cared for Moose after he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, which would ultimately take him in early 2001. 

An ardent animal lover, Ellie cared for her cats and dogs with great love and never turned away a stray in need of a home.  

She is survived by her daughter, Sharon Uran, of Ramona; son, Gus Whitcomb, of Hong Kong; granddaughter, Jennifer Jenkin, of Ramona; grandson, William Anderson, of New York City; and her brother, Robert St. Clair, of Brimfield, Mass., as well as her very dearest friend and companion, Don Owen, of Ramona.  

Burial arrangements are by Bonham Bros. and Stewart Mortuary.  Services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Jan. 21.  There'll be a celebration of her life to follow. 

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Ellie Whitcomb's name to the Ramona Woman's Club Scholarship Foundation, P.O. Box 735, Ramona, CA  92065.