Obituaries: Ellen McMindes Scott

Published 5:00 pm Wednesday, June 9, 2004

Ellen McMindes Scott

Travel agent, 82Ellen McMindes Scott, 82, of Reedsport, died Wednesday, June 9, 2004 at her home.

Mrs. Scott was born April 19, 1922 in Astoria, the third of four girls born to Elvin and Laura McMindes. She graduated from Astoria High School and continued her education at Oregon State College.

She joined the U.S. Coast Guard SPAR in May 1944, where she developed her taste for travel, and continued serving until the end of World War II. In 1971, she opened Andell’s Travel Agency in Santa Cruz, Calif. She returned to Oregon in 1979 and settled in Reedsport, where she opened Reedsport Travel with her sister, Doris Plov. She retired in 1987. Family members said her sense of adventure and curiosity continued throughout her life.

Mrs. Scott was also known for her bridge skills, gardening, cross-stitch work, sewing, her quick wit and sense of humor. Family said she was an accomplished pianist who loved music and supported many local music programs. A longstanding member of the Soroptomists and a 50-year member of the Order of Eastern Star, Fern Chapter 38, she also enjoyed serving on the board of directors of the Reedsport Chamber of Commerce and on the Reedsport Beautification Committee, and frequently volunteered at the Discovery Center.

Mrs. Scott is survived by a son, Thomas Roy Andersen of Santa Cruz; two daughters, Laura Ellen Glynn of Boston and Janet Rae Andreasen of Capitola, Calif.; a sister, Margaret Rae Knerr of Grover Beach, Calif.; five grandchildren, Douglas Andersen, Matthew, Rachel and Ryan Glynn, and Laura Victoria Egan; and 10 nieces and nephews, Dick, Bob and John Plov, Kathy Plov Rouhier, Bill and Paul Knerr, Peggy Myers, David and Don Smith and Carol Kramer.

Two sisters, Doris Plov and Marion Smith, and her husbands, Willard C. Johnston and Glen A. Scott, died earlier.

A memorial will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the United Presbyterian Church, 2360 Longwood Drive in Reedsport.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Reedsport High School Music Department, 2260 Longwood Drive, Reedsport, OR 97467 or Reedsport Hospice, 600 Ranch Drive, Reedsport, OR 97467.

Dunes Memorial Chapel in Reedsport is in charge of arrangements.