Obituary
Ellen McPhillips Baumann, JD, MA, retired attorney, dies at the age of 77. Ellen McPhillips Bauman, a retired attorney from Reed Smith LLP who practiced law in New York City for over thirty years, died February 17, 2019 at New York Presbyterian/Weill-Cornell Medical Center, NY. The cause was of complications of acute myeloid leukemia as she entered her sixth clinical trial. Ellen Baumann was a graduate of Garden School, Jackson Heights, NY. She earned her undergraduate degree in English from Vassar College, and her Masters in English from Georgetown University Graduate School. After leaving her position as member and chair of the English department at Garden School, Jackson Heights, she attended Fordham University School of Law, New York where she earned her Juris Doctor degree. From 1979-83, Ellen worked as an associate at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. From 1983-86, she worked as an associate at Carro, Spanbock, Fass, Geller, Kaster & Cuiffo. From 1986-99, she worked as a senior associate at Seyfarth, Shaw, Fairweather & Geraldson. And from 1999 until her retirement in 2012, she worked as an attorney for Reed Smith LLP. Ellen also served as the president of the Board of Trustees at her alma mater Garden School. She was the beloved wife of the late F. Gregory Baumann, a loving sister of the late George (Mary Lou) McPhillips, Mary Lee (Andrew) Hartzell and Michael (Jo An) McPhillips, and a cherished sister-in-law of Eleanor, Kevin (the late Patricia), and the late Jean (Lynn Hurt). Ellen was widely respected by family, friends and colleagues for her unmatched strength, spirit and intelligence. She is survived by an extended family of relatives.
The McPhillips/Baumann/Hartzell family are grateful for the outpouring of care, concern and support from the community for our dear Ellen McPhillips Baumann.
