Ellen Rappaport (As Told By Her Daughter, Stacey Rappaport)
Ellen Rappaport was a beloved resident of Stony Brook Village, educator, and friend. She was devoted to her Stony Brook and Head of the Harbor community where she lived for more than 50 years. Ellen loved walking, and would frequently stop to talk to residents during her 5-mile daily treks. Ellen’s passion was educating young people, which she continued to do after her retirement as a Library Media Specialist in the Patchogue-Medford School District. Over the years, Ellen frequently collaborated with the Ward Melville Heritage Organization’s (WMHO) education department. Her dedication to education shined when she would give talks wearing authentic 18th-century clothing at the WMHO’s historic properties for students and visitors. She guided WMHO’s Youth Corps in planning its annual Santa Fund, a program that raises money to purchase presents for local families in need, foster children and women in recovery from substance abuse. For many years Ellen served on the board of Walk for Beauty, an annual walk that raises funds for breast cancer research at Stony Brook University. Ellen was a beautiful person inside and out.