Ellen Louise McKay Adams, a devout Christian, went home to
be with her lord and savior on
August 3, 2025. She passed away peacefully surrounded by her
children and grandchildren at
the home she and her husband of 64 years, Thomas Adams Sr.,
had built.
She was born May 28, 1943, to William and Charlotte McKay in
their old farmhouse on Lake Earl
Drive. The McKays were lifelong residents of Del Norte
County, and Ellen carried that legacy on
with deep roots in her community.
Ellen spent the entirety of her 82 years close to where she
was born, never straying far from
her beloved home. She cherished Del Norte County, often
sharing how much the land and
people meant to her. Throughout her life, she built many
lifelong friendships that remained
strong until the very end including Brenda Cobb, Sally
Daniels, Dixie Darrow, Dale Lesina,
Sharon Howard and many more.
Ellen loved the outdoors and took immense pride in her yard
and garden, which reflected her
hard work and dedication. She grew and canned much of her
own food. She also worked
alongside her husband on their fishing boat in Alaska where
she cooked and worked on the
back deck. Proudly earning a full share of wages long lining
for halibut.
A talented seamstress, Ellen made many of her own clothes as
a young woman and later sewed
dresses for her daughter and granddaughters. She passed down
her skills and stories, including
memories of working in lily fields as a child to earn money
for school clothes. Ellen thrived on
hard work, from painting her own home to caring for her
family with endless love and devotion.
Her greatest joy in life was her family—her husband,
children, grandchildren, and great-
grandchildren. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother,
and great-grandmother, always
ensuring her loved ones felt cared for. The grandchildren
and great-grandchildren especially
loved spending time with Grandma and Papa, learning many
life lessons and skills from them.
Ellen was preceded in death by her husband Thomas W. Adams
Sr., father, William McKay; her
mother, Charlotte McKay; her brothers Bob McKay, Bill McKay,
and John McKay, as well as her
sister Barbara Bennet.
She is survived by her sisters Nadine Lyons and Peggy
Underhill, Sister in-laws Doris
McKay, and Eileen McKay, along with many nieces and nephews.
Her children include.
Thomas Adams Jr. (Staci), Robert Adams, and Ellen Smith
(Tom). Ellen’s grandchildren are
Randi Vess, Taylor Smith, Joseph Smith, Shelby Adams, and
Trace Adams. She was also blessed
with many great-grandchildren Aaliyah Spino, Harvey Walters,
Owen Walters, Toren Walters,
Walker Stone, Naiya Vess and Naomi Vess.
Ellen’s life reflected strength, devotion, and love. She
will be deeply missed by all who knew
her, but her spirit and legacy will continue to live on
through her family and community.
No services are planned at this time.