Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Birders

Donkees

(33,363 posts) Sun Dec 14, 2025, 04:51 AM Dec 14

105

Rest in Grace, Elleng

Photo - Douglas Liu

When despair for the world grows in me...

I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free. - Wendell Berry

40 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Rest in Grace, Elleng (Original Post) Donkees Dec 14 OP

K&R.nt jfz9580m Dec 14 #1

So so sorry montanacowboy Dec 14 #2

Oh No! calimary Dec 14 #3

I am so sorry to learn of her passing. Silver Gaia Dec 14 #4

Nooooooooooooo!!!!!! fierywoman Dec 14 #5

Heartbreaking to read this Grim Chieftain Dec 14 #6

Beautiful and appropriate dedication to the memory and spirit of our elleng hlthe2b Dec 14 #7

Sorry to ask..... FarPoint Dec 14 #8

One of her daughters posted on Facebook mnhtnbb Dec 14 #19

I didn't think she was ill.... FarPoint Dec 14 #23

I never met her, but I feel like I've lost a friend. Rest in grace and power elleng Walleye Dec 14 #9

Same for me DeeDeeNY Dec 14 #38

Rest in peace Dr. Shepper Dec 14 #10

So sorry gademocrat7 Dec 14 #11

I do believe that elleng would love this Wendell Berry tribute. llmart Dec 14 #12

A beautiful tribute to EllenG SheltieLover Dec 14 #13

She has rejoined the sacred migration, the great turning in the sky Donkees Dec 14 #16

Indeed SheltieLover Dec 14 #18

One her osprey pics Dear_Prudence Dec 14 #39

Ty! SheltieLover Dec 14 #40

Always felt like we were neighbors. we can do it Dec 14 #14

I am soooo sorry to hear this! Trueblue Texan Dec 14 #15

Thank you for this lovely tribute. mnhtnbb Dec 14 #17

It may be related to the brain injury balance issues. A recent post of hers caught my attention. Donkees Dec 14 #22

Thank you for your post, Donkees 70sEraVet Dec 14 #20

I remember she loved the gliding osprey photo from a few years ago Donkees Dec 14 #25

RIP Elleng, and thank you for letting us know JMCKUSICK Dec 14 #21

You will be missed MiHale Dec 14 #24

... littlemissmartypants Dec 14 #26

I am saddened and shocked by this news AKwannabe Dec 14 #27

Oh, my. I'm having trouble accepting her passing. I just saw a post sinkingfeeling Dec 14 #28

I'm so very sorry. choie Dec 14 #29

Oh no. FM123 Dec 14 #30

Oh no! How I'll miss her kind, gracious, generous presence here. femmedem Dec 14 #31

I'm so sad to read this! yardwork Dec 14 #32

🦅 mwmisses4289 Dec 14 #33

This saddens me, too Dave in VA Dec 14 #34

.... and the Wheel turns WheelWalker Dec 14 #35

Rest in Grace elleng Clouds Passing Dec 14 #36

"" AllaN01Bear Dec 14 #37

jfz9580m

(16,508 posts)

1. K&R.nt

Reply to Donkees (Original post)

Sun Dec 14, 2025, 04:52 AM

Dec 14

montanacowboy

(6,665 posts)

2. So so sorry

Reply to Donkees (Original post)

Sun Dec 14, 2025, 05:00 AM

Dec 14

Will miss her bird photos

calimary

(88,861 posts)

3. Oh No!

Reply to Donkees (Original post)

Sun Dec 14, 2025, 05:01 AM

Dec 14

Now elleng is gone, too?

Damn. Such a vibrant member of this little hangout.

Damn.

Silver Gaia

(5,238 posts)

4. I am so sorry to learn of her passing.

Reply to Donkees (Original post)

Sun Dec 14, 2025, 05:05 AM

Dec 14

What a beautiful tribute post this is.

fierywoman

(8,498 posts)

5. Nooooooooooooo!!!!!!

Reply to Donkees (Original post)

Sun Dec 14, 2025, 05:06 AM

Dec 14

Such a lovely energy she was.

Grim Chieftain

(1,134 posts)

6. Heartbreaking to read this

Reply to Donkees (Original post)

Sun Dec 14, 2025, 05:26 AM

Dec 14

Much love and healing vibes to her family and friends.

hlthe2b

(112,627 posts)

7. Beautiful and appropriate dedication to the memory and spirit of our elleng

Reply to Donkees (Original post)

Sun Dec 14, 2025, 05:44 AM

Dec 14

FarPoint

(14,481 posts)

8. Sorry to ask.....

Reply to Donkees (Original post)

Sun Dec 14, 2025, 05:53 AM

Dec 14

Has Ellgen been ill? This is the first I heard of this....What happened?

mnhtnbb

(33,094 posts)

19. One of her daughters posted on Facebook

Reply to FarPoint (Reply #8)

Sun Dec 14, 2025, 07:06 AM

Dec 14

just a few hours ago. There were no details. To my knowledge, she hadn't been ill.

FarPoint

(14,481 posts)

23. I didn't think she was ill....

Reply to mnhtnbb (Reply #19)

Sun Dec 14, 2025, 07:24 AM

Dec 14

I'm deeply saddened....thank you for this update.... she was beloved by me here with her posts and feedback...

Walleye

(43,710 posts)

9. I never met her, but I feel like I've lost a friend. Rest in grace and power elleng

Reply to Donkees (Original post)

Sun Dec 14, 2025, 05:54 AM

Dec 14

DeeDeeNY

(3,892 posts)

38. Same for me

Reply to Walleye (Reply #9)

Sun Dec 14, 2025, 07:30 PM

Dec 14

I had more chats with her than anyone else here. She told me how she had been a lawyer, and about her father, who had a law practice in New York City many years ago, and I shared with her how I'd spent over 50 years working as a paralegal at a large New York law firm. She took beautiful photos and always had interesting recipes. Just an overall good soul.

Dr. Shepper

(3,205 posts)

10. Rest in peace

Reply to Donkees (Original post)

Sun Dec 14, 2025, 06:19 AM

Dec 14

I loved her bird posts and insights on politics and life.

gademocrat7

(11,785 posts)

11. So sorry

Reply to Donkees (Original post)

Sun Dec 14, 2025, 06:29 AM

Dec 14

May Elleng Rest In Peace.

llmart

(17,302 posts)

12. I do believe that elleng would love this Wendell Berry tribute.

Reply to Donkees (Original post)

Sun Dec 14, 2025, 06:33 AM

Dec 14

I didn't know her but always read her posts. She seemed like such a kind soul.

SheltieLover

(76,140 posts)

13. A beautiful tribute to EllenG

Reply to Donkees (Original post)

Sun Dec 14, 2025, 06:45 AM

Dec 14

Ty for sharing with us

I will forever cherish memories of EllenG's posts of her Osprey nest & the young birds' development.

And now EllenG soars with the Osprey.

Donkees

(33,363 posts)

16. She has rejoined the sacred migration, the great turning in the sky

Reply to SheltieLover (Reply #13)

Sun Dec 14, 2025, 07:04 AM

Dec 14

SheltieLover

(76,140 posts)

18. Indeed

Reply to Donkees (Reply #16)

Sun Dec 14, 2025, 07:06 AM

Dec 14

Dear_Prudence

(1,020 posts)

39. One her osprey pics

Reply to SheltieLover (Reply #13)

Sun Dec 14, 2025, 09:52 PM

Dec 14

https://www.democraticunderground.com/120816528#!

SheltieLover

(76,140 posts)

40. Ty!

Reply to Dear_Prudence (Reply #39)

Sun Dec 14, 2025, 10:04 PM

Dec 14

we can do it

(12,980 posts)

14. Always felt like we were neighbors.

Reply to Donkees (Original post)

Sun Dec 14, 2025, 06:52 AM

Dec 14

Trueblue Texan

(4,158 posts)

15. I am soooo sorry to hear this!

Reply to Donkees (Original post)

Sun Dec 14, 2025, 06:58 AM

Dec 14

She was just here…and now she’s gone. I will miss her wisdom. An important part of our family here, missed by most, I suspect.

mnhtnbb

(33,094 posts)

17. Thank you for this lovely tribute.

Reply to Donkees (Original post)

Sun Dec 14, 2025, 07:04 AM

Dec 14

I was shocked to see the post from one of her daughters on Facebook just a few hours ago. To my knowledge, she hadn't been ill.
I've just checked and there are still no details added to that post.

Donkees

(33,363 posts)

22. It may be related to the brain injury balance issues. A recent post of hers caught my attention.

Reply to mnhtnbb (Reply #17)

Sun Dec 14, 2025, 07:23 AM

Dec 14

70sEraVet

(5,204 posts)

20. Thank you for your post, Donkees

Reply to Donkees (Original post)

Sun Dec 14, 2025, 07:10 AM

Dec 14

For passing along such inspiring photos and a beautifully appropriate poem, to go with news that saddens us all. I remember her being so excited at the sight of an Osprey.
Go gentle, elleng.

Donkees

(33,363 posts)

25. I remember she loved the gliding osprey photo from a few years ago

Reply to 70sEraVet (Reply #20)

Sun Dec 14, 2025, 07:29 AM

Dec 14

JMCKUSICK

(4,945 posts)

21. RIP Elleng, and thank you for letting us know

Reply to Donkees (Original post)

Sun Dec 14, 2025, 07:15 AM

Dec 14

So very gracefully Donkees.

MiHale

(12,542 posts)

24. You will be missed

Reply to Donkees (Original post)

Sun Dec 14, 2025, 07:26 AM

Dec 14

littlemissmartypants

(31,442 posts)

26. ...

Reply to Donkees (Original post)

Sun Dec 14, 2025, 07:41 AM

Dec 14

AKwannabe

(6,871 posts)

27. I am saddened and shocked by this news

Reply to Donkees (Original post)

Sun Dec 14, 2025, 07:52 AM

Dec 14

Interacted mostly in the cooking and baking forum and she was also excited by food.

RIP friend

sinkingfeeling

(57,065 posts)

28. Oh, my. I'm having trouble accepting her passing. I just saw a post

Reply to Donkees (Original post)

Sun Dec 14, 2025, 07:54 AM

Dec 14

of her Canadia Geese the other day. She will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered.

choie

(6,525 posts)

29. I'm so very sorry.

Reply to Donkees (Original post)

Sun Dec 14, 2025, 07:57 AM

Dec 14

She was such a lovely presence here .

FM123

(10,334 posts)

30. Oh no.

Reply to Donkees (Original post)

Sun Dec 14, 2025, 07:58 AM

Dec 14

I am so sorry to hear the sad news, her presence here on DU will truly be missed.

femmedem

(8,531 posts)

31. Oh no! How I'll miss her kind, gracious, generous presence here.

Reply to Donkees (Original post)

Sun Dec 14, 2025, 08:03 AM

Dec 14

Thank you for sharing the news with us, sad as it is. It's better to know than to perpetually wonder.

yardwork

(68,885 posts)

32. I'm so sad to read this!

Reply to Donkees (Original post)

Sun Dec 14, 2025, 08:54 AM

Dec 14

mwmisses4289

(3,105 posts)

33. 🦅

Reply to Donkees (Original post)

Sun Dec 14, 2025, 08:54 AM

Dec 14

Dave in VA

(2,254 posts)

34. This saddens me, too

Reply to Donkees (Original post)

Sun Dec 14, 2025, 09:46 AM

Dec 14

feels like loosing a family member. Peace to her family. Thanks for posting and letting us know Donkees.

WheelWalker

(9,379 posts)

35. .... and the Wheel turns

Reply to Donkees (Original post)

Sun Dec 14, 2025, 10:21 AM

Dec 14

Clouds Passing

(6,842 posts)

36. Rest in Grace elleng

Reply to Donkees (Original post)

Sun Dec 14, 2025, 11:30 AM

Dec 14

AllaN01Bear

(28,479 posts)

37. ""

Reply to Donkees (Original post)

Sun Dec 14, 2025, 11:31 AM

Dec 14

Reply to this discussion

Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Birders»Rest in Grace, Elleng