Ellen Ruth Banks was born to Wallace and Ruth Irene Smith Banks, May 16, 1937, in Portland Oregon. She passed away on August 15, 2025, in American Fork, Utah, with interment in the American Fork Cemetery.

Ellen was born with the eye disease glaucoma. Since there was no good treatment, she suffered much pain for many years. She attended the Utah State School for the Blind, where she learned many skills. The school was a boarding school, so with travel difficulties following WW2, she was rarely with family except for holidays and summer vacation. Gifted with perfect pitch, she played the piano in classic style which she loved. She loved part-singing, and hummed, sang, or whistled alto in all music.

Ellen started to attend Lehi High School for 9th grade. Unknown at the time, she was on the autism spectrum which caused her difficulty socializing. She was in two graduating classes, who never failed to invite her to class reunions.

Ellen learned many skills which gave her pleasure. She was a rapid Braille reader and read many books and magazines. She enjoyed talking books, especially when the Library of Congress distributed digital books on cassette and reading machine. Ellen learned to play the accordion and organ. She played with a dance band at monthly socials held by families and friends of the visually impaired. Ellen learned to knit and made hundreds of things for friends and family. She made numerous pairs of booties for humanitarian service.

Ellen was employed for many years at Provo Deseret Industries, which she loved. She was talked into retirement by family at age 70, on the promise that she could get Meals on Wheels services. Shortly after the death of her father, Ellen moved to American Fork to live with her sister and her family. She lived there for 44 years. She loved church service, especially singing in the choir. She lived in several Latter-day Saint wards due to boundary changes. She met many new people and loved visiting teaching.

Ellen was moved to Beehive Homes in American Fork due to multiple illnesses. She was happy there, and said she never wanted to come home. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Carmen, brother Anthony, and her niece Rachel. She is survived by many nieces and nephews.