In Memorium
Deidre Ellis, founding Chair of Keep Broken Arrow Beautiful, died suddenly on June 20, 2011, leaving a legacy of leadership, creativity, optimism, dedication and perserverance. She was so energetic she nearly created the light in a room. Her peers and friends who gladly worked with her in creating what is now known as Keep Broken Arrow Beautiful, cannot believe that light is gone. Here at KOB, we're having a hard time believing it as well.
Deidre was the 2010 recipient of the KOB Individual Achievement Award for her untiring efforts on behalf of Keep Broken Arrow Beautiful. She played a major role in implementing the "Beauty Patrol", the group's program which won the top prize in last year's award celebration - it was declared the BEST OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL BEST.
Broken Arrow's annual "Trash Bash" was one of her favorites as well and you could always count on her to get it organized, follow through on details, work along everyone and smile every minute. It was Deidre's plan to make her once Chamber of Commerce beautification committee one of the first state affiliates of Keep Oklahoma Beautiful and then to make Keep Broken Arrow Beautiful a stand-alone nonprofit organization with its own 501(c)(3) tax designation. Her plan has been carried out - and in a relatively short span of time.
Because of Deidre, a lot of people are a little more proud of their community, are taking better care of their personal environments, are taking notice of the community effort. She rallied the troops, kept folks on task, dreamed big and simply made things happen. Because of her, a lot of people are a bit busier - and that would make her happy.
Posted on
Tue, June 28, 2011
by Gail Ederer