Remembering Ellie Ziegler

REMEMBERING ...

Ellie Ziegler

By Bill Dougherty

It’s hard to find words to describe one of the most beautiful people you have ever met. The 1996 Fashionality/Trendsetter Ellie Ziegler quietly passed away in late December after a long illness. She had an extraordinary personality, the kind that would illuminate the room the second she entered. She was stunningly beautiful and never met a stranger. I was a reporter the night she was presented to the community as a Fashionality in 1996. She received a standing ovation when she walked the runway. It was a magnificent evening. Ellie later joined the Trends Charitable Fund (TCF) board for two terms and, together with her husband Mike, donated heavily to the TCF. But that was just the tip of the iceburg.

Ellie moved to the Valley in the 1970s and received a degree in communications from ASU. She would remain bound to the university for the rest of her life. Ellie would go on to a successful career with the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and later WestCor, where she would become iconic for her effortless public relations style and approach. Valley Leadership would eventually grant an award titled the “Ellie Ziegler Woman of the Year Award.” The title of the award surprises no one who knew the famous yet always understated socialite.

The commitment Ellie and Mike Ziegler gave to our community was more than impressive. Their support of Boys and Girls Clubs of Scottsdale, McCormick Railroad Park, college athletics, education, healthcare and SMOCA, were all met with boundless financial support as well as personal dedication. Ellie was an amazing force for the Fiesta Bowl for more than two decades. It was there that she fostered a magnificent relationship with Nikki Balich. She would sponsor Nikki to become the recipient of the Trendsetter honor in 2018. Like Ellie, Nikki would go on to become one of the most amazing Trends Charitable Fund board members imaginable!

Ellie Ziegler was so many things to so many people. My wife Beth and I considered her one of our greatest friends. We all used to lunch together at two of our very favorite spots: the Neiman Marcus Café and the Sanctuary Resort. We met early last summer as we did each quarter. When I called Ellie last fall to arrange a luncheon date, she said she just didn’t feel well. I never dreamed we would never speak again. Ellie to us and so many others was a beacon of light in a dark storm. She was the girl next door who was always happy to assist with whatever she could do. Her presence in our community both social and philanthropic will be missed by so many. She will be missed more than I can ever describe in pen and ink. To know Ellie Ziegler was to love her.

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