Marjorie Ellis

Marjorie Kathleen Ellis "Kat", 53, of West Chester, PA, passed away April 8, 2020.

Born April 6, 1967 in Asheville, NC, she was a daughter of Herbert and Nancy (nee Andrews) Ellis.

Kat was a Professor at West Chester University where she served as the director of ASL and Deaf Studies Program in the Language and Cultures Department. Prior to starting the Deaf Studies Program, Kat taught Adapted Physical Education in the Kinesiology Department at West Chester University and the University of Rhode Island.

Her students were her love and her legacy. Kat’s journey was “like a rock thrown into a lake: sending ripples ever outward  into the future” as she taught her students about Deaf culture  and American Sign Language.

Her Wild sense of humor would show up in her teaching as she would sign outrageous stories of the adventures of her favorite felines “Nike and Allie”. Inevitably her test questions would include something about said felines.

Kat also was an avid “all things Boston” sports fan! Go Sox! It is how she and her wife, Patty, first met. They were talking online and Patty said she was watching the Braves and Kat said what’s going on, Patty said “Maddux is still pitching and Wohlers is warming up". They hit it off immediately and have been rounding the bases of life together ever since.

As a member of the Deaf community, she sought to make meaningful contributions through academia. Her research and publications focused on the D/deaf and physical education. Her curriculum development sought to provide her students with an in-depth understanding of the Deaf community and language.

In addition to her parents, she is survived by her beloved wife, Patricia A. Andrews “Patty”, her dear sister Melissa Swarbrick; and her "children" Nolan, Nala, and Princess Allie.

Services are private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Gift of Life, 401 N. 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123.