Information courtesy of the Utah Valley Daily Herald: http://www.heraldextra.com/lifestyles/announcements/obituaries/ellen-ashworth-larsen/article_a3f481c8-9e09-5179-8e6d-1f1616d6fdc5.html
Ellen Larsen was the first Women's Sports Information Director at BYU, where she served from 1976-1995.
Ellen Ashworth Larsen
“Where shall we see a better daughter or a kinder sister or a truer friend?” – Jane Austen Trailblazer
1925-2017
Ellen Ashworth Larsen, mother and friend, 91, passed away July 1, 2017 with family by her side. From original Mormon pioneer settler stock, she was born to Ardelle Harmon and Claude Ashworth in Provo, Utah on September 29, 1925. It was the first of dozens of golden autumn Michaelmas days celebrating Ellen. As a child growing up in the Great Depression-era Provo, she enjoyed memorable antics with her brothers and neighborhood friends. She spent her summers at Wildwood cabin swimming in the Provo River.
A lifelong intellectual, Ellen attend Brigham Young Academy and graduated from BYU before earning a master’s degree from Stanford University at a time when women’s enrollment was limited. After earning her masters she taught high school in California and freshman English at BYU. She married Stephen L. Larsen, later divorced, and they were founding members of the Riverside Country Club. An active mother, she instilled a love for reading and learning in her three children and grandchildren as well.
Decades later, after Title IX became law, Brigham Young University expanded its women’s athletics program and Ellen became BYU’s first Women’s Sports Information Director. She was one of the first women to be appointed a sports publicist by a major university and served in this capacity for 19 years. She dutifully faxed volleyball scores to sports media outlets and the NCAA late at night in the office after games at the fieldhouse. Passionate about sports, Ellen drove a powerful serve on the tennis court, calculated putts on Riverside Country Club’s greens, and cheered on the Cougars.
Over the years, she created magical Christmases, taught literature to the women in Oak Hills Second Ward, and volunteered at Food and Care Coalition. She was involved in Dekatos, bridge clubs, and the League of Women Voters.
She is survived by her children Sara Jane (George) Hofmann, Erik A. (Jane) Larsen, Stephen A. (Cindy) Larsen; eight grandchildren; and twenty six great-grandchildren. She is also survived her brother Dean (Ann) Ashworth, and sister-in-law Carol Ashworth.Services for the family will be held at a later date.
In Lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Ellen Ashworth Larsen Endowed Women’s Athletic Scholarship Fund at Brigham Young University c/o LDS Philanthropies, 1450 North University Avenue, Provo, Utah 84604-6080.