Ellen Callahan, age 75, passed away on November 30, 2023.

Ellen was born in 1948 in Yonkers, New York to Francis & Dorothy Callahan. She graduated from Albertus Magnus High School, then obtained a BA in Music (German minor) from Ithaca College and an MBA from George Williams College. She retired after 30+ years working in HR and IT & Compliance in the financial industry. Prior to entering the corporate world, she was a teacher and a professional violist, accompanying Liza Minnelli, Tom Jones, Wayne Newton, and others – including touring with Liberace. Ellen played viola with the DuPage Symphony, West Suburban Symphony, and Salt Creek Chamber Orchestra. She also served on the Board of Trustees of First Folio Theater, multiple orchestras, and previously served on the boards of community and cultural organizations in New York, California, and Illinois.

When not involved with work and volunteer activities, Ellen enjoyed gourmet cooking and dining, foreign language study, reading, and travelling the world with her grandchildren and friends. She will also be remembered for her love of opera – especially as a passionate Wagnerite who, of course, had been to Bayreuth.

Ellen is survived by her son Christopher Woodill; her beloved grandchildren Erin and Shannon Woodill; and her siblings Michael, Anne, and Mary. She was preceded in death by her parents, Francis & Dorothy (Stanek) Callahan, and her son, Eric Woodill.

Ellen was an indomitable force – the perfect mix of fierce and elegant, outspoken and refined. She will be dearly missed.

The visitation will be held on January 12th from 4-8PM at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main Street in Wheaton,IL. The funeral mass will be held on January 13th at 10AM at St. Michael Catholic Church, 310 S. Wheaton Avenue in Wheaton, IL.

In lieu of flowers, we invite you to make a donation to Misericordia Home in Chicago, IL in her honor.