Ellen H. Beard, age 63, passed away at the Hospice of the Valley Coronado Home on Wednesday, July 20, 2011, after a seven month battle with cancer. She was born on January 20, 1948 in Warren, Ohio to Clarence H. Haas, Jr. and Constance J. Swisher. She moved to Phoenix in 1954 at the age of 6. Ellen graduated from West Phoenix High School in 1966. Ellen has always been one to put others first. As a young adult, she left Phoenix and her family behind in order to raise and protect a three year old little girl, Eveie, whom she later adopted. Though she lost almost eighteen irreplaceable years with her family, she never regretted her decision. During these years, Ellen lived in Texas, Pennsylvania, and California acquiring two more step-children along the way. In 1991, Ellen moved back to Phoenix and her family. In Phoenix, she continued her career at State Farm Insurance where she made new life-long friends, reconnected with friends she grew up with, and impacted numerous lives. After many years of overcoming obstacles (always with a smile and a joke or two), she met her soul mate, Thomas Beard. Family and friends joined them in Las Vegas on March 6, 1998 to witness their marriage. She told family and friends that he was definitely worth the wait. With Tom, came five more step-children whom she loved as if they were her own. She spent her last eighteen years doing what she loved most - being with her friends and family and traveling. Though the last year of her life was filled with obstacles, she faced each one the only way she knew- with a huge smile and well-timed jokes. Ellen is survived by her husband, Thomas Beard, brothers, Skip (Deb) Haas and Ken (Lene) Snell, daughter, Eveie (Ray) Chaffin, seven step-children, and eleven grandchildren. Adventurous, courageous, compassionate, and true friend are just a few of the words that describe Ellen Beard. Services will held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 30, 2011 at A.L. Moore Grimshaw Mortuary, 710 W. Bethany Home Road, Phoenix, AZ 85013. Send a tribute to Ellen at almoore-grimshaw.com 
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