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Ellen McGill Robinson Chack, 81, of Fermanagh Township, Juniata County, died Dec. 29, 2023, in Hospice Care at Locust Grove Nursing Home. Ellen died of complications from Ovarian Cancer. She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Alan Chack.
Ellen attended school in Juniata County. She graduated from Wilson College and earned a Master's Degree in Library Science from Drexel University. In addition to her MLS she returned to Drexel University for Certificates of Advanced Study in Law Librarianship and Medical Librarianship. Ellen's working career included libraries in Georgetown and Takoma Park, Washington D.C.; research for a British architect in Philadelphia; reference librarian at the Municipal Reference Library, New York City; reference librarian at the Donnell Library Center, New York City. After moving back to Juniata County she was the first full time Librarian at the Juniata County Library. Ellen's career was capped by appointment as Section Chief of the Law Library Division, Office of the Attorney General of Pennsylvania, from which she retired after 22 years.
Ellen was enthusiastic about "all things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small, and all things wise and wonderful". She was a voracious reader, lover of movies, live theater, fine art, and she loved to share what she found with her husband and good friends. At Wilson College, Ellen participated in a modern dance program, "Orchesis", that fueled her love of the art of dance.
Ellen enjoyed traveling when she could. Ellen was able to live in Greece through "The Experiment in International Living" program. Her travels included Greece, Italy, France, Germany, as well as Canada, Mexico, China, Hong Kong, England, Scotland, and Wales. Ellen made many friends throughout her life and she delighted in still knowing those from her school days in Juniata County, clear back to first grade.
Ellen's parents, Clark and Evelyn Robinson, were living and working in NYC, where Ellen was born in the Sydenham Hospital in Harlem (Ellen never tired of calling herself a native New Yorker even though she was only 6 months old when she left). When WWII started her father, Clark, worked in a naval shipyard and then was drafted into the Navy. Her mother, Evelyn, moved back to Pennsylvania to be closer to her family. After the war, Clark and Evelyn moved to the Moist Family Farm on Cedar Spring Road. The farm was in Evelyn's family since 1811. Ellen was very proud of the long family history associated with the farm, the family, and the old farmhouse where she grew up.
Ellen is survived by her brother Michael Robinson, wife, Kathanne, and two sons with their own families; her cousins Nancy Serotkin and Nora Serotkin, cousin David Harry Serotkin and his family; nephew Sine Rofofsky. Ellen was preceded in death by her parents; her grandparents Walter and Mabel Robinson; cousin, Gordon Robinson and his wife; grandparents, David and Maude Moist; aunt Dorothea and her husband, Harry Serotkin; aunt, Margaret Moist; and cousins, David Serotkin and Jon Serotkin.
Ellen's strong sense of morality and ethics guided her choices in life and was clearly evident to all who knew her.
At Ellen's direction there will be no funeral or other service.
Brown Funeral Homes, Inc. Mifflintown, is entrusted with her care.