In memoriam - Ellen Eckelmann

Ellen Eckelmann left her body on March 30th in her New Community home in Certitude at the age of 79. Since being involved in a motorcycle accident in June 2020, she had been suffering from almost continuous fatigue and Alzheimer's; her frail condition culminated in an epileptic crisis a few days before her passing.

Ellen, born in Berlin, Germany, after numerous visits, settled in Auroville in 1981. She initially got involved in the difficult situation of Auroville at the time. Soon she started the garment unit Cocoon, doing export and eventually managing Nandini and supplying residents with a range of finely tailored clothing items. Later she became active in staging theater plays, resulting in a number of well executed performances by Aurovilians.

Ellen managed the large New Community building, hosting many people. In October last year this building became a Newcomer community. Some Newcomers interested in a community way of living moved into the apartments and Ellen, grateful and happy, could let go. As her health condition deteriorated, all the members of New Community gave time to support and care for her. As one of them recalled, “The relationship with her was beautiful. We mutually supported each other: we, the residents, by our presence and care, and Ellen by her openness, her beauty, her inner light and unconditional love which she would without fail give to us day after day. Her beauty and tenderness filled our hearts.”

Ellen remains were cremated at the Auroville cremation ground on April 4th.