Ellen Levy Blumberg, 76, died peacefully in her home in Thetford surrounded by her family on September 4, 2017.

She was born July 9, 1941 in Baltimore, MD the second of three children to Samuel and Jane Levy. The family moved in early childhood to suburban Philadelphia, where Ellen grew up and graduated from Cheltenham High School.


Ellen continued her education receiving a BA at Chatham College in Pittsburgh and then a Masters at Lesley College. She met her husband, Martin Blumberg, after working several years in education research and immediately knew she found her life partner.

The couple married in November of 1968, settled in Pennsylvania and started a family. While raising her two girls and living in both Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, Ellen remained active in the schools and community. She was a lifelong advocate for voter registration and education with the League of Women Voters, and was a key part of the volunteer group that organized the 1984 vice presidential debate between George Bush and Geraldine Ferraro. She was a blood drive coordinator for the Red Cross, an administrator for the Lower Merion School District Scholarship Fund and membership coordinator for the Jane Austen Society of North America.

Ellen and Marty moved to the Upper Valley seventeen years ago, and settled into their new life and activities as a nearly inseparable duo. They loved downhill skiing, Tai Chi classes at Long Wind Farm, and participating in OSHER. Ellen continued her involvement in political discourse and community activities with the local LWV, and joined the Thetford Energy Committee. She continued her passion for gardening and bird watching and was "helped" by the family dog, Parker. She made regular and lengthy trips to Alaska to visit their daughter and her family. Most recently, she started playing the flute and enjoyed taking lessons from her eldest granddaughter.


She will be remembered and missed for her high energy, endless to-do lists, her eagerness to try new things, and her zucchini bread.

Ellen is survived by her devoted husband, daughter Linda and husband Cory Smith of Anchorage, Alaska, and daughter Jill Blumberg and husband Lou Bregou of Hanover, NH and grandchildren Emily and Catherine Bregou and Hatcher and Talia Smith. She is also survived by brother, Richard Levy and wife Dale of Philadelphia; and sister, Millie and husband Jimmy Weinberg of Haverford, PA; and sister-in-law Sara Blumberg of Clearwater, FL.

The family would like to extend thanks to Bayada Hospice, White River Family Practice, DHMC and the Hand to Heart Project for the comfort they offered Ellen during her final weeks. A small graveside service is planned in Philadelphia. A local remembrance will occur at a future date. In memoriam, please consider making a donation to the charity of your choice and exercising your duty to vote.