Obituary of Crista C. Ellis

     Crista Cleo Staley Ellis, age 76, of Saratoga Springs, NY passed away on March 14,
2023. Crista was born in Hammond, IN on February 21, 1947 to Ingrid and Delbert
Staley. Crista received her Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Ripon College in 1969.
She loved to tell stories about her sorority adventures and almost meeting Harrison
Ford. After graduation, Crista began her career as a journalist in Chicago at Lerner
Newspaper and The Pioneer Press. Some of her more illustrious interviews included:
John Wayne Gacy, Adam West (the original Batman) and Ray Crock. Crista studied
graphic design at Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago before moving to Clifton
Park, NY in 1988. She retired as graphic artist from the Ayco Company in 2007.
Crista was known for her warm and generous heart. She made friends everywhere she
went. Her curious and playful nature allowed her to connect with so many people. This
is reflected in multiple aspects of her life; especially her art. Crista loved to try new
things and had many hobbies, some of which were life-long. She was an accomplished
painter, and had the honor of contributing her talents to the “Horses Saratoga Style”
exhibit in Saratoga Springs NY. Crista’s watercolors were displayed in a month long
exhibit entitled “Simply Country” in Albany NY. She rented studio space at an artists’
co-op at Beekman Street, Saratoga Springs, NY. Later in life, Crista developed a
passion for knitting. Yarn was irresistible to her and she not only learned to knit beautiful
scarves, shawls and mittens, she learned to dye and spin her own fibers. Crista loved
nature, especially water and this is reflected in her paintings and pottery. The coastline
at Monhegan island, ME was a particularly inspirational spot and her family proudly
displays the paintings she created there. Crista loved Crosby Stills and Nash, cooking,
sewing, babies, barns, and driving to Vermont to see the fall colors. Most of all, Crista
loved her family.
   

    Crista is survived by her children, Trevor Ellis (Robyn) and Megan Gatto (Anthony);
grandchildren, Griffin Ellis and Quinn Ellis; siblings, Cori Staley and Clifford Staley; niece Ingrid Ianoale; nephew, Ian Ianoale; grandnephews: Levi and Damian.  She is
preceded in death by her parents, Ingrid and Delbert Staley; and sister, Cynthia Staley.

     A celebration of life will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests
donations made in Crista’s name to Alzheimer’s Association,www.alz.org.