Jul 22, 1949 - Apr 14, 2017

Ellen Louise Balestri passed from this life unexpectedly, Friday evening, April 14, 2017 at her home in Graeagle, California.

Born in Bedford, Ohio to the late Ohio natives Ira and Aileen (Saxe) Smith on July 22, 1949, Ellen spent her early years in Bedford until moving west with her parents at age nine to settle in the Southern California community of Claremont. She is a 1967 graduate of Claremont High School and went on to continue her education at the University of New Mexico where she obtained her Bachelors of Science Degree in Anthropology. While attending college she caught the eye of a handsome young coed named Thomas J. Balestri and as their love for one another blossomed the couple was united in matrimony January 5, 1972 at the asistencia of Mission Gabriel Arcangel in San Bernardino, CA. To this loving relationship one daughter was born.

First and foremost a loving wife and mother, Ellen's professional career included working for the famous Dr. Leakey at the Calico dig prior to her marriage, and a banking career working in Monterey and later Palo Alto, CA. She taught tap dancing in Los Altos as her daughter was growing up.

Tom and Ellen relocated to the Northeastern California community of Graeagle in 2010 from Los Altos following Tom's retirement. Here Ellen took up the game of golf and enjoyed the company of the ladies both on and off the links. She is a member of the Graeagle Ladies Golf Club. She served the community currently as the President of Eastern Plumas District Hospital's Auxiliary and served as a volunteer at both the local Food Bank and the Portola Library. She continued her love of the study of anthropology, collecting memorabilia and artifacts from the Southwestern area of the United States. 

In her untimely passing she leaves her best friend and loving husband; Thomas J. Balestri of Graeagle, daughter; RoseEllen Countiss, Ellen's precious grandchildren Brady and Audrey and husband Andrew all currently residing in Sasebo, Japan as Andrew serves our country as a member of the U.S. Navy. She also leaves behind a sister; Judy Edens who resides in the state of Connecticut.

A private family blessing service took place Thursday, April 20, 2017 at the Fehrman Mortuary Chapel.