Ellen Hardman

Ellen Hardman slipped away from us on Saturday, September 11, 2021 between the dawn and dark of night.

Ellen was born on Friday, September 23, 1955 in Greenfield, IN; she moved to Albuquerque with her family in 1960, making stops in Chiloquin, OR and Gallup, NM on the way.

Ellen was preceded in death by her parents, Mary and Paul Hardman; sisters, Cathie Ward and Elizabeth Hardman; her brother, John Hardman; her husband, Jeff Johnson; and son, Lief Johnson. Ellen is survived and mourned by her partner, Daniel Kercsmar; sisters, Martha Hardman and MaryAnn Broell; her brother-in-law Don Ward; sister-in-law Robyn Phillips; four nieces and two nephews; many friends; her good mountain neighbors; her cat, Ruby; and dog, Jack.

Ellen attended Freedom High School in Albuquerque and started college at New Mexico State University. She received her BA from the University of New Mexico. Ellen had been a resident of the East Mountain community for over nearly 40 years and loved the mountains for the peace they brought her. Ellen worked her entire adult life helping developmentally disabled people, first with ARCA, then with NM Quality Case Management where she was a case manager and provided quality assurance oversight for the agency. Ellen then moved to the New Mexico Department of Health Developmental Disabilities Supports Division and finished her career as a Regional Case Manager Coordinator. In this role she supported individual case managers and case management agencies to maintain compliance with state regulations and standards related to the DD Waiver to ensure individuals served by the Waiver received the services for which they were qualified. Ellen also supported her co workers and peers by providing consultation on case management issues. She was highly respected by everyone who worked with her and many people working with individuals with developmental disabilities in the region sought her out for advice and direction.

Ellen was a gifted artist and had hoped to spend her retirement painting and creating works of art to share. Ellen loved music and loved most of all gatherings with her friends and partner who were musicians. Ellen was a gentle person who also had a fine sense of humor and loved to be silly with friends and family.

Ellen wanted her life to be celebrated. Though she knows that her loved ones and friends are bereft, she would want them to remember that she is now free of her troublesome body and free from illness and disability. Ellen would also like every medical provider in New Mexico to educate themselves on oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy; what it is and what it does to those so afflicted.

Hold me in your thoughts
Take me to your dreams
Touch me as I fall into view
When the winter comes
Keep the fires lit
And I will be right next to you
--- from "Keep me in Your Heart for a While" by Warren Zevon

A memorial gathering will be held for Ellen on October 24, 2021 from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm at Oak Flats Picnic Area in the Yucca Group Site.  At Ellen's request, please wear the brightest, happiest colors you have.

Donations in Ellen's memory can be made to Watermelon Mountain Ranch or the Muscular Dystrophy Association.