Ellen Viola McKenzie (Boots) age 68 of Marthasville, passed peacefully on Wednesday June 26, at STL University Hospital. She fought courageously after receiving a gift of organ transplant on April 25, 2024.
Ellen was born on April 8, 1956, in Jefferson City. She grew up at Lake of the Ozarks and graduated from School of the Osage High School in 1974. She married her high school sweetheart Mike McKenzie in 1977. They moved to Marthasville in 1984. Ellen enjoyed being at home to take care of her son and husband through the years.
Ellen enjoyed participating at Marthasville Elementary School where her son attended. She volunteered her time in the library and loved doing class parties and going on field trips. Her son Michael’s friends became her children as well.
She is survived by her husband and partner of 47 years Mike McKenzie of the home and her son Michael (Ellie Donahue) McKenzie of Leasburg. Michael was her greatest joy and made her so proud seeing the man he has become by the example set by his father. Also survived by brother Clancy (Kathy) Boots of Eldon, sister Julia Sanning of Jefferson City and Ellen’s twin sister Helen (David) Holland of Camdenton. Brother in-laws Scott McKenzie of St Louis and Dan (Shelly) McKenzie of St Louis. Ellen had a special relationship with her niece Elizabeth and her friend Sara. Many nieces and nephews, cousins and friends that have become family.
Ellen was preceded in death by her parents, Boyd and Kay (Kawahara) Boots from Bagnell.
Her hobbies included cross stitching, creating stained glass art, Wizard of Oz collectables, lady head vases and had a love of treasured quilts. Always one to enjoy road trips and would yell “Stop the car! We just passed an antique store!” She had a love for antique glassware. She loved the smoke of a campfire, eating roasted marshmallows and the smell of burning leaves in the fall, her favorite season. She biked the Katy Trail often over the years. She had a fondness for elephants, the annual daisies that sprung up along the roadside, and dining out for her favorite Japanese foods. She always enjoyed a getaway trip to casinos and had her favorite slot machines. Ellen treasured her Mother’s Japanese heritage and included it by wanting to pass it on to members of her family.
Ellen was an organ donor, and she had the honor of receiving an organ donation. Please consider being an organ donor, someone’s life depends on this gift. Donating blood in her memory would make her smile.
Private services will be held at a later date per her wishes. Please remember her from all of the fond memories created throughout her lifetime.
