Ellen K. Gordon

Ellen Kabatznick Gordon, age 93, formerly of Brookline, died peacefully on January 20, 2023, For 62 years, she was the beloved wife of the late Morris Gordon II. She grew up in Brookline and lived for fifteen years in Beverly Hills, California, where her family moved when she was seven. She attended UCLA and Elliot-Pearson before completing her degree in special education at Boston State College. She devoted her life to advocating for people with intellectual disabilities. She and Morris were long-time volunteers and board members of GBARC and the Barry L. Price Center. They were instrumental in 1979, with other parents of intellectually disabled young adults, in the purchase of a house in Brookline that became Humanity House, a community residence for special needs adults. Humanity House, which still exists today and is now managed by the Price Center, allows ten special needs adults to live independently.

She leaves her children, Albert and his partner Mitchell Karas of Boston, John of Watertown, and William of Brookline. She will be missed by all who were touched by her genuine kindness, gentleness, compassion and generosity. She enjoyed reading, playing tennis (which she practiced well into her eighties), and spending time with family. Burial has taken place.

Donations may be made in Ellen’s memory to The Barry L. Price Center, 27 Christina St., Suite 201, Newton, MA 02461.