Ellen Graham Anderson died at age 82 in Tulsa on Monday, February 12, 2024, surrounded by her family, following a brief illness.

Ellen was born on July 7, 1941 in Oklahoma City to Pursell Graham and Irma Graham. After graduating from Classen High School in Oklahoma City, she attended the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music in Oberlin, Ohio and graduated in 1963 with a degree in music, majoring in piano performance. While in college, she met Bill Anderson, and they were married on January 30, 1962.

She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Bill Anderson, and her five children: her son John Anderson and his wife Melanie (of Tulsa), her son Dan Anderson and his wife Monica (of Pickerington, Ohio), her daughter Emily Anderson (of Tulsa), her son Adam Anderson and his wife Jennifer Harvey (of Tulsa), and her daughter Michela Anderson (of Tulsa). She is also survived by her sister Amelie (Graham) Rogers and her husband Bill Rogers (of Daytona Beach, Florida); her nephew Mark Graham and his wife Vicki (of New York City); her niece, Marcia (Graham) Faulkenberry and her husband Bill Faulkenberry (of Tulsa); her brother and sister-in-law, Raymond and Susan Anderson (of Delaware, Ohio), two sisters-in-law, Deborah Anderson (of Columbus, Ohio) and Dottie Anderson (of Charleston, South Carolina), as well as six grandchildren, many cousins, nieces and nephews, and many dear friends. She was preceded in death by her brother John Graham of Claremore.

Ellen was a loving wife, mother, aunt, sister, grandmother, and a loyal friend. She had a lifelong love of music, playing the piano, cooking, and arguing politics. She also inherited a love of the finer points of English grammar from her mother who was a high school English teacher in Oklahoma City. She loved hosting visitors to her home. Her epic summer holiday cookouts and Christmas caroling parties were attended by many. She also loved vacations to the beach. Over the years, Ellen had many beloved pets, who she regarded as members of the family. Ellen taught all her children compassion and empathy for others, and demonstrated those values in the way she lived each day of her life.

Ellen was a lifelong advocate for women's rights, children, and the less fortunate. She always spoke for those who could not speak for themselves, and did things her way, every time. She was a unique spirit who touched the lives of many people and will be greatly missed.

No services are planned but an event in her honor will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that those so inclined consider a donation in Ellen's name to the Magic Foundation supporting those with Russell Silver Syndrome at www.magicfoundation.org/give .