Passing of Eleanor (Ellie) Graham Claus ’55
With sadness, I write to share news of the passing of a remarkable alum, leader and friend of the College, Eleanor (Ellie) Graham Claus ’55, Chair of the Board of Trustees from 1999–2004.
Dear member of the Mount Holyoke community,
With sadness, I write to share news of the passing of a remarkable alum, leader and friend of the College, Eleanor (Ellie) Graham Claus ’55, Chair of the Board of Trustees from 1999–2004. At Mount Holyoke she studied physiology and sociology.
Mrs. Claus served on the Board from 1987–1992 and again from 1994–2004. She led the trustees through a time of considerable national and international disruption: concerns about Y2K, a hotly contested 2000 presidential election and the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Under her leadership the Board members worked closely with the administration to ensure that students, faculty, staff and alums received care and support in the difficult weeks and months that followed.
Mrs. Claus was a lifelong volunteer leader for Mount Holyoke. While chairing the Board of Trustees, she also co-chaired a highly successful comprehensive campaign that raised over $257 million for the College. She served on the Alum Association’s Board of Directors and was active in its committees. She served her class of 1955 for more than fifty years in a number of roles, including vice president, reunion co-chair and class agent. Everywhere she lived — California, Nebraska and Massachusetts — she took on leadership roles in local MHC clubs. Most recently, she helped to plan her class’s 70th reunion. Mrs. Claus was the recipient of both the Sesquicentennial Award and the Alum Medal of Honor. She spent her career in healthcare, holding senior executive positions as President/CEO of major hospitals and health care systems. Most recently she was a successful realtor on Cape Cod.
Mount Holyoke honors the memory of this uncommon woman, and extends condolences to Ellie Claus’s family and many friends.
Sincerely,
Danielle R. Holley
President