Ellen Kay Peyton

Ellen Kay Peyton died at home on January 25, 2015, after a courageous 20-year battle with breast cancer. Born in Berlin, Germany, on January 19, 1938, Ellen, her late parents, Walter and Vera Loebl, and her maternal grandmother fled to Shanghai, China, where they survived the Holocaust as prisoners of the Japanese. Emigrating to the U.S. in 1947, they eventually settled in Denver, Colorado, where Ellen graduated from East High School in 1956 and from Colorado State College (now the University of Northern Colorado) in 1966. Rich, her husband, was her college humanities teacher. They were married on December 17, 1966, within a week of her graduation. They just celebrated their 48th anniversary. Moving with their daughter, Michelle, to Tallahassee in 1969 so that Rich could attend F.S.U., Ellen taught first grade for several years at Apalachee Elementary and then worked at the Department of Education, retiring in 2000. Later, Ellen became an enthusiastic and active member of P.E.O. and the First Presbyterian Church, where she converted to Christianity and was baptized 2 ½ years ago. She treasured her membership in various church groups, especially Together-In-Service (sewing circle) and the Congregational Care Council. She was an accomplished water colorist and was fond of reading, traveling, gardening, cooking, sewing, and quilting. Loved by many, Ellen was courageous, resilient, generous, compassionate, faithful, intelligent, creative, and responsible. She was likewise a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She is survived by her husband, Rich, daughter, Michelle Chason of Tallahassee, son, Andrew Peyton (Sonya) of Waynesboro, PA; grandchildren, Christopher Chason of Tallahassee, Amanda Kaufman (Charlie) of Crawfordville, Brendan, Lainey and Cole Peyton of Waynesboro, PA; great-grandchildren, Antonio Chason and Maya Kaufman of Crawfordville, and Christopher Chason of Tallahassee; sister Daisy Sedalnick of Westminster, CO, several nieces, nephews and cousins. A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 31, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. At First Presbyterian Church, 110 North Adams Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32301. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32308. Elizabeth Chambers of Bevis Funeral Home is assisting the family with their arrangements (850-385-2193), www.bevisfh.com.

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Ellen Kay Peyton

January 19, 1938 - January 25, 2015