Ellen Marie Athas

1954 - 2017

Ellen Marie Athas obituary, 1954-2017, Washington, DC

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Washington, District of Columbia

Ellen Athas Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Feb. 19, 2017.

ELLEN M. ATHAS (Age 62)
Who made significant contributions to the environmental policy of the Obama Administration as senior council of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), and a woman of great intellect and generosity of spirit, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, February 15, 2017. Ms. Athas, a 30-year resident of the District of Columbia, most recently served as senior counsel for the Office of Federal Activities of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and earlier served with the CEQ under President William Clinton as Associate Director for Oceans, Coasts, and Environmental Policy.
Ms. Athas was born in N.Y., N.Y., on July 6, 1954, the daughter of Louis and Joy Athas. Ms. Athas graduated from Colgate University and the Washington College of Law, American University, and began her environmental career at the Department of Justice, working for many years in the Environment and Natural Resources Division where she was an Assistant Chief in the General Litigation Section. Developing expertise in water and ocean policy, during her first tenure at CEQ she started as the Deputy General Counsel, and then served as a Policy Advisor on Oceans. During that time she played a major role in the development of the Northwest Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve. Later, in a position with The Ocean Conservancy, she focused on both clean water and ecosystem protection.
Returning to CEQ in 2010, she worked closely with the Land and Water Team, and provided legal support to the National Ocean Council and on a number of issues including the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, Corps of Engineers nationwide permits, liquid natural gas and coal terminals, Asian carp issues, and mountaintop mining. At CEQ, she also worked on numerous National Environmental Policy Act matters, including greenhouse gas emissions, climate change, hydraulic fracturing litigation, and genetically engineered organisms.
At CEQ and the EPA, Ms. Athas was known for her ability to negotiate controversial projects among federal and state agencies. Ellen's contributions to her community included many years of teaching English as a Second Language and serving as a board member of the Rock Creek Conservancy. She took delight in Golden Retrievers, the music of Pete Seeger, museums and all things cultural, planning trips, baseball, and most of all, reading. Among family and friends, she was the go-to person for book recommendations and was an avid reader of fiction, non-fiction, drama, and the classics.
Ms. Athas is survived by her loving husband of 40 years, Albert Ferlo Jr.; devoted sons Matthew Ferlo of Seattle, Washington, and Andrew Ferlo of the District of Columbia; her mother, Joy J. Athas of Burlington, Vt.; her brothers, Robert Athas, Burlington, and William Athas of Chapel Hill, N.C.; many nieces, nephews and a wide circle of friends.
A memorial gathering will be held in the Lettie Pate Evans Multipurpose Room in Addison Hall at Virginia Theological Seminary, 3737 Seminary Road, Alexandria, Va., on Sunday, March 19, at 3 p.m.
Contributions in Ellen's memory may be made to the Planned Parenthood Federation of America by selecting "one-time gift" at (https://www.plannedparenthood.org).
Arrangements under the direction of Joseph Gawler's Sons LLC, Washington, DC.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

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February 15, 2019

Friend

carole taylor

miss you every time I read a book we could have sheared . Carole

March 18, 2017

Carol Borgstrom

My deepest sympathies to Ellen's family and many friends on your loss. I appreciated my encounters with Ellen over the years while at the Department of Energy. She provided wise counsel and was an inspiration with respect to the spirit of NEPA and will be missed.

March 17, 2017

Pat White

Al, I am so sorry to hear the sad news about Ellen. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

March 14, 2017

Margo Miller

Ellen actively mentored all women in Gen Lit and was a true role model to all of us -- showing us how to be a devoted mother and great lawyer. My sincere condolences to Al and her children.

March 6, 2017

I had the honor of working with Ellen on Rock Creek Conservancy programs over several years. I remember her kind heart, and energetic, upbeat spirit.

My thoughts are with Ellen's family and friends during this time. May you feel the compassion and support of the lives Ellen touched.

Maria Sgambati
Tampa, Florida

March 6, 2017

Andrea Berlowe

How terribly sad it is to hear of Ellen's passing. My heart goes out to Al, Matt, and Andy, who brought her such joy. Ellen was my first mentor at DOJ and she remained a source of wise counsel and good humor for many years.

March 1, 2017

Patricia Haman

I am very sad to hear of Ellen's passing. She was bright, engaging, energetic, and open to the world. Her passion for her family, the environment, and just life in general, was uplifting. My sincerest condolences go out to her family.

February 27, 2017

Jomar Maldonado

I was saddened and shocked to hear of Ellen's passing. I would have wished more years of enjoyment after her retirement from government work. Ellen was a delight to work with. I enjoyed her friendly and happy demeanor as well as her professionalism. I am grateful for the time I was given to get to know her. My condolences to her family and friends. My thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult moment.

February 26, 2017

My condolences to the family. May the God of comfort be your strength and refuge at this time.

February 26, 2017

Elisabeth Blaug

My deepest sympathy to the Athas-Ferlo family. Since my CEQ days many moons ago Ellen has always been a beacon of sanity, smarts, and genuine kindness. She will be deeply missed by so many.

February 26, 2017

I am so sorry for your lost. May you find comfort in the God of all comfort because he cares for you. 1Peter 5:6-7.

February 26, 2017

My sincere condolences to the Athas family for the loss of their loved one, may God strengthen you all during this difficult time and may you find comfort through his son Jesus Christ's words found in John 6:40.

February 25, 2017

Horst and Maria Greczmiel

We were heartbroken to hear about Ellen's unexpected passing. Our deepest felt sympathy goes to Al, the boys and the entire Athas and Ferlo families. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Ellen, you will be missed...
Horst and Maria

February 24, 2017

David Cohen

Ellen was a great person and I was very upset to hear of her passing. I will fondly remember her incredible kindness, her patience, her professionalism, and her inspirational enthusiasm for the important work that she was doing. I wish her family all the best.

February 23, 2017

Ellen may have left before she was done but what a life she shared. We will miss our Colgate classmate.

February 23, 2017

jeff hill

Al,Andy,Matt,

Sheila,Dan,Emily and I want to extend our condolences on the passing of Ellen. We all enjoyed her quick wit and have great memories of the whole family at all the destination weddings we attended together.
Please know that you all are in our thoughts and prayers.

February 23, 2017

John and Laigen Sanet

We are very, very saddened to learn about Ellen's passing. She will be greatly missed. Our sincere condolences to Al, Matt, and Andy.

February 23, 2017

Words fail. We are so sad. John Lowe & Carole Taylor

February 23, 2017

Shelly Dawson

It was an absolute honor to meet and work with Ellen! She was very a kind and caring person and extremely passionate about her environmental work...I am so sorry and saddened to hear of her passing. May God provide your family strength and peace during this difficult time. Love you Ellen, R.I.P.

February 22, 2017

Family Shores

Lovely and loved. We are heartbroken.
The Shores-Bell family.

February 22, 2017

Brian Ferrell

From enjoying cheap eats around DC to helping us find great books, from debating the arguments around Elk Creek Dam to helping guide a young Justice attorney, from healthy debates amongst great friends, Ellen you are a shining example of how to live life to its fullest. Al, Matt and Andy the Ferrell family is there in spirit with you as you mourn your loss and celebrate all she brought into this world to everyone that had the opportunity to meet her.

February 22, 2017

Cindy Huber

I was shocked and saddened to hear about Ellen's passing. She was a kind and caring person along with being an excellent lawyer and colleague. She will be missed. The Athas-Ferlo family is in my prayers.

February 22, 2017

Zenia Montero

I met Ms. Athas during my time at the CEQ. Her passion for impactful environmental law and policies inspired me. She will be missed. Rest in peace.

February 22, 2017

AB

My sincere condolences for your loss. May the God of comfort give you strength and peace during this difficult time. (Numbers 6: 26)

February 22, 2017

Offering my condolences to the family and loved ones. "May mercy and peace and love be increased to you."-Jude 2

February 22, 2017

May peace and comfort from God help the family through this very sad time (Psalm 29:11).

February 22, 2017

Genevieve Walker

I am so saddened by this news. Ellen was an amazing soul who never was too busy to help someone new to the field understand some nuance of the law. She will be greatly missed. I know my life, and career, was made better for knowing her.

February 22, 2017

Carolyn Mosley

I worked with Ellen at CEQ during the Clinton Administration and learned to love her. My deepest condolences to Athas - Ferlo family.

February 22, 2017

Thomas Jensen

I send my deepest condolences. I'm so saddened by this news. Ellen was a gem; an inspiration.

February 22, 2017

Jim Furnish

I met Ellen through my working relationship with Al. I can only say that she was a delight, though I barely knew her. I know she brought great joy to Al and that's good enough for me. I grieve with the Ferlo family in the loss of a wonderful and spirited wife, mother and loved one.

Posted by Jim Furnish

February 22, 2017

Kim DePaul

My heart is broken at this news. Ellen was the sunshine in our office, and the delight of my day. She wore her passion for the environment proudly, and I felt privileged to call her a colleague and friend.

February 22, 2017

Gail Orendorff-Weiner

It was my great pleasure to work for Ellen at the FAA. She was a smart, kind, and employee-oriented manager. I am terribly saddened to hear of Ellen's passing. My deepest condolences to Al and the rest of the family.

February 22, 2017

I've only known Ellen for a few years, but I can only imagine the intelligence and precocity she demonstrated throughout her life. Her natural, open-minded curiosity and thoughtfulness were a breath of fresh air in a time of quick-to-judge. I feel great loss that I didn't have more time to engage in more discussions with Ellen about any of the many topics she knew so much about, but I am thankful for the times I did have. I wish the best for those most effected by this tragic loss and hope that they remember the moments that characterize her best and hold those moments closest during these difficult times. I find those typifying moments are the best ones to cling to when a loss occurs, because, even though they remind us of what we lost, they also remind us of what we had and continue to have in our thoughts and memories of those whom we love.

February 22, 2017

Andrew Mergen

My condolences to the Athas/Ferlo family. It was my great pleasure to work with Ellen, a fine lawyer and tremendous person and colleague.

February 22, 2017

v.

We are very sad to hear about your loss Matthew 11. 28.

February 22, 2017

My sincere condolences to the Athas family for the loss of their loved one, may God strengthen you all during this difficult time and may you find comfort through his son Jesus Christ's words found in John 6:40.

February 22, 2017

My condolences to the family. May the fond memories you cherish and the peace of God comfort and sustain you in your time of need.
-RM

February 22, 2017

So sorry for your loss. May these word from our Heavenly Father bring you comfort. Jeremiah 29:11,12.

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