Ellen Challis

Ellen Ada Challis passed peacefully on Sunday September 18, 2011 with family at her side at the Aspen Care Center in Ogden, Utah. She was born Ellen Ada Turner on July 23rd, 1925 in Walderslade, Kent England. Met her soulmate and husband of 66 years, William Henry Charles Challis whilst rowing a boat in 1939. Immigrated to the United States to be with her daughter, Lorna (Dan Nau) and her son Eric Challis (Jacki Bloomfield). Ellen served during WWII as a W.R.E.N. (Women’s Royal Navy) as a cook. In the US she worked at Lakeview Hospital from 1976 to 1993 in Bountiful. As a nursing aid she brought comfort and healing to the patients with her unique blend of humor and her wonderful British accent. She is survived by two sisters, many relatives in England, her son Eric Challis and daughter Lorna Nau, five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

William Henry Charles Challis passed away in his sleep on August 22nd, 2010 at the Aspen Care Center in Ogden, Utah with his wife of 66 years, Ellen at his side. He was born in Rochester, England January 5th, 1924. He served in the Royal Marines in WWII aboard the battleship HMS Anson in the Atlantic, “keeping the swabbies from eating the officers” as he put it and later on serving in post-war Japan. His favorite sport in Japan with his fellow shipmates was mixing up the rickshaws at night and enjoying the ensuing chaos the next morning. William also worked at Lakeview Hospital with his wife as a surgical technician. The staff affectionally nicknamed him Prince William. He retired in 1993 along with his wife. He is survived by three brothers and a sister, his son Eric Challis, daughter Lorna Nau, many relatives in England, five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

Family and friends gathered on Tuesday September 20th at Eric & Jacki’s home in Clearfield, Utah to celebrate Ellen and William’s lives. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Aspen Care Center in Ogden, Utah.