Obituary of Ellamae Christensen

Ellamae ChristensenEllamae Christensen of Eugene died Dec. 9 of age-related causes. She was 89. A memorial service is planned for a later date.She was born Oct. 30, 1921, in Clay Center, Kan., to Walter and Ella Larson Maggs. She married Robert Christensen on Nov. 12, 1943, in Portland. He died Nov. 16, 2004. She married Neil Concannon in September 2006 in Eugene.She graduated from high school in Clay Center in 1939 and attended college in Portland in 1942. She was a homemaker and was church organist for Valley River Baptist Church for 42 years.Survivors include two sons, Robert of Springfield and Thomas of Greenwood, S.C.; and five grandchildren.Arrangements by Musgrove Family Mortuary in Eugene.A Celebration of Life for Ellamae Christensen will be held at the Valley River Baptist Church on Sunday, February 20th, at 2:00 p.m. Ellamae passed away peacefully on December 9th, 2010, as a result of several strokes. She is survived by two children and five grandchildren. Ellamae Christensen was born on October 30, 1921, to Walter and Ella Maggs in Clay Center, Kansas. She was the youngest child with three older siblings. In her formative years she enjoyed climbing trees, confronting neighborhood bullies, school and learning to play the piano. She also began to sing, and in 1939 won First Rating in the National Music Ensemble Competition Festival in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She moved to Portland, Oregon circa 1940 with her mother and aunt. Ellamae took several college courses, which included stenography. She worked as a secretary for Meier and Frank in Portland. She continued her singing and cut several 78 rpm records. She met Robert P. Christensen in 1941, and they were married on November 12, 1942, while Robert was serving in the United States Navy. Robert sent numerous letters to Ellamae from the Pacific Theater which are still among the family archives. In 1950 her first son was born and the second in 1952. The same year Ellamae was offered an opportunity to audition with the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. She declined, stating that she had two little boys and was going to stay in Portland with her family. In 1956 the family moved to Eugene, Oregon. The family began attending services at the Willagillespie Baptist Church. Upon learning of Ellamae's penchant for music she was asked to consider being the church organist until a permanent organist could be found. Ellamae taught herself to play the organ, and was able to transpose any key for the benefit of soloists. Ellamae continued to serve as the "temporary" organist for 42 years, and was the Choir/Music Director for many years. She also served on the nominating committee when new pastors were needed. Cook! She made the flakiest pie crusts and the best homemade apple pies, served with wedges of sharp cheddar cheese. She never wrote down the recipe(s) saying it was all in her mind. Her spaghetti sauce would simmer for 24 hours. She learned about cooking from her older sister, Mary. Ellamae was a devoted sender of greeting cards for all occasions and would include notes to the recipients with updates and inquiries about how family and friends were getting along. After her husband passed away in 2005, Ellamae married Neil Concannon, who had been the pastor of the church in the early sixties. Neil was the first Chaplain for the penitentiary in Salem, Oregon, appointed by then Governor Mark Hatfield. Ellamae supported her family in every way, from Robert's bowling team and hobbies with radio-controlled airplanes and HO gauge trains to the goals of her sons, whether educational, musical or to the eventual Eagle Scout Awards each of her sons attained. Ellamae was Blessed with many friends over the years and made every effort to befriend others, particularly those who seemed lonely and friendless. Her Faith was steadfast throughout her long life. She will be missed by so many who knew and loved her.