Ellen Galo

Dear Laurentian Community,

I write today to share the sad news that Ellen Galo, a former member of the St. Lawrence University staff, passed away peacefully on December 27, 2025, at the age of 74, with her husband Gary by her side.

Ellen was born on June 30, 1951, in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, and graduated from West Essex Regional High School in 1969. She went on to earn a bachelor of arts in music in 1973 from the University of Rochester, where she studied clarinet and took most of her coursework at the Eastman School of Music. In 1974, she enrolled at the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam to complete her teaching certification. There, she met Gary Galo, a then graduate student at Crane, and the two married the following year. In 1976, Ellen completed her master of music in music theory and composition.

Ellen’s professional path included teaching music at Sacred Heart Elementary in Massena and mathematics at BOCES in Norwood, along with serving as a substitute teacher in area schools. Her longest and most familiar chapter began in 1987 here at St. Lawrence, where she held administrative roles supporting several academic programs—including CSTEP, physics and chemistry, and modern languages—until her retirement in 2013.

Deeply committed to her faith and music, Ellen was active in several area Episcopal churches and often served as a substitute organist. She composed sacred music, participated in the Community of Celebration, and regularly played for midweek services in Potsdam. Her creativity extended to the sewing machine, and she took joy in making clothing for her many nieces and nephews. She and Gary shared a love of music, travel, and community—especially their annual trips to Maine and her warm friendships through Gary’s professional conference circles.

Despite facing years of health challenges, Ellen met life with grace and perseverance. She remained deeply engaged with the people and pursuits that mattered most.

We share our heartfelt condolences with Ellen’s family and close friends, especially her husband Gary, their daughter Michelle Cudney and son-in-law Sean, and her sisters Jennifer Gillespie, Diane Gillespie, and Meredith Wilson with her husband Gordon. Ellen will be remembered for her many years of loyal service to the University and for the kindness and collegial spirit she brought to those around her.

Please join us in honoring Ellen’s life by sharing your memories of her on the St. Lawrence University website. You can read the remembrances of others here.