Ellen Chaney Lynch Gerwick

Ellen Chaney was born in Iowa City, Iowa on January 6, 1922 to Marguerite and Ralph Works Chaney. Later that year the family moved to Berkeley, where her father became a professor of paleontology at the University of California. For the rest of her life, the Bay Area was her home.

Ellen grew up in the Berkeley hills, finding a love for nature on outings with her parents and brothers Dick and Dave. She met Elizabeth Sauer FitzSimmons when she was two years old and they were best friends for the rest of their lives. Ellen was a member of Delta Gamma at Cal. She graduated in 1943 and was a proud Bear all her life. Among her many lifelong friends were fellow DGs she met for bridge for more than 70 years. She was a lifetime member of Town and Gown.

Ellen married Richard Lynch in 1951. They had four children and were together 43 years. After Dick’s death in 1995, Ellen met Ben Gerwick. They were married for ten years until Ben’s death.

Ellen was a nurturing, supportive, fun mom who doted on her pets and grandchildren. She grew vegetables and flowers, loved the Giants and made awesome pies. She traveled all over the world but was happiest in California, especially in the high Sierra. She had a wonderful life.

On Christmas day, at home with her family, Ellen peacefully passed away.

Survivors include her children Carolyn Lynch and husband Jeff Thompson; Elizabeth Lynch; Diane Chamberlin, Bob Chamberlin and their daughter Ellen; and Richard Lynch Jr, wife Audrey, and their children Kristin and Brendan.

A gathering to remember Ellen is planned for Sunday, January 29, at the family home.