HELEN C. ELY, 82, OWNED TAVERNS, WED MILLIONAIRE, FOUGHT CITY HALL
Helen C. (Sally) Ely went from barmaid to successful businesswoman before marrying the millionaire great-grandson of Elyria's founder.
She was nicknamed "Sally" while working as a waitress at Childs Restaurant in Cleveland with six other waitresses named Helen. The manager picked new monikers for each of them to simplify work assignments.
The former Helen C. Jasany longed to be her own boss and "with $50, a lot of nerve and credit," as she later told The Plain Dealer, she bought the Twilight Gardens at Pearl Rd. and W. 130th St. in Parma. Later, she owned Lindy's Tavern on Lindburg Blvd. in Berea.
In 1941, she moved from Berea to Elyria and opened the Northwood Inn on W. Broad St., where she was introduced to Arthur W. Ely, the last direct descendant of Heman Ely, founder of Elyria.
They were married in July 1951. After her husband died in November 1958, Mrs. Ely went back into business and operated the Supper Club at Lake and Elyria Aves. for a short time.
Later, she owned the Ely Inn, also known as Sally's, on East Ave. until retiring 16 years ago.
Mrs. Ely, 82, died Saturday at her home in Elyria.
She was born in a house on Thurman St. in Cleveland, one of nine children in a blue-collar household. When she married into one of Elyria's wealthiest families, she moved into a mansion in the posh Washington Ave. neighborhood.
When her husband died, Mrs. Ely became a trustee of the Ely estate and often was at odds with the other trustees regarding how the income from the trust should be used.
"Before becoming an Ely, I didn't have half the headaches, had no money worries since I owned my home and business outright, and I had twice the fun," Mrs. Ely told PD reporter Allen D. Ashbolt in 1960.
"I have no regrets, though. My eight years with a wonderful man whom I loved and who loved me were worth it."
In 1960, Mrs. Ely came under fire from city officials after placing oversized illuminated signs boosting the candidacy of John F. Kennedy for president and J. William McCray for Congress on her lawn. At that time, political signs were banned from residential areas by city ordinance.
Vandals and city workers repeatedly tore the signs down. Each time, Mrs. Ely had them rebuilt. The trouble only strengthened her resolve to keep them up.
Her challenge of the city law was applauded by members of both parties.
Mrs. Ely, a lifelong Democrat, financially supported candidates from the Democratic and Republican parties equally, continuing a practice her husband had adopted.
She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Elyria.
Her hobby was collecting figurines, especially Hummels.
Survivors include her brother, Edward Jasany of Elyria, and sister, Florence Meyer of Cleveland.
Services will be at 10 a.m. tomorrow at St. Mary Church, 320 Middle Ave., Elyria.
The Curtis-Scheuffler-Busch funeral home in Elyria is handling arrangements.
Plain Dealer, The (Cleveland, OH) - Tuesday, November 30, 1993
(info provided by Msmith #47320929)
Helen C. (Sally) Ely went from barmaid to successful businesswoman before marrying the millionaire great-grandson of Elyria's founder.
She was nicknamed "Sally" while working as a waitress at Childs Restaurant in Cleveland with six other waitresses named Helen. The manager picked new monikers for each of them to simplify work assignments.
The former Helen C. Jasany longed to be her own boss and "with $50, a lot of nerve and credit," as she later told The Plain Dealer, she bought the Twilight Gardens at Pearl Rd. and W. 130th St. in Parma. Later, she owned Lindy's Tavern on Lindburg Blvd. in Berea.
In 1941, she moved from Berea to Elyria and opened the Northwood Inn on W. Broad St., where she was introduced to Arthur W. Ely, the last direct descendant of Heman Ely, founder of Elyria.
They were married in July 1951. After her husband died in November 1958, Mrs. Ely went back into business and operated the Supper Club at Lake and Elyria Aves. for a short time.
Later, she owned the Ely Inn, also known as Sally's, on East Ave. until retiring 16 years ago.
Mrs. Ely, 82, died Saturday at her home in Elyria.
She was born in a house on Thurman St. in Cleveland, one of nine children in a blue-collar household. When she married into one of Elyria's wealthiest families, she moved into a mansion in the posh Washington Ave. neighborhood.
When her husband died, Mrs. Ely became a trustee of the Ely estate and often was at odds with the other trustees regarding how the income from the trust should be used.
"Before becoming an Ely, I didn't have half the headaches, had no money worries since I owned my home and business outright, and I had twice the fun," Mrs. Ely told PD reporter Allen D. Ashbolt in 1960.
"I have no regrets, though. My eight years with a wonderful man whom I loved and who loved me were worth it."
In 1960, Mrs. Ely came under fire from city officials after placing oversized illuminated signs boosting the candidacy of John F. Kennedy for president and J. William McCray for Congress on her lawn. At that time, political signs were banned from residential areas by city ordinance.
Vandals and city workers repeatedly tore the signs down. Each time, Mrs. Ely had them rebuilt. The trouble only strengthened her resolve to keep them up.
Her challenge of the city law was applauded by members of both parties.
Mrs. Ely, a lifelong Democrat, financially supported candidates from the Democratic and Republican parties equally, continuing a practice her husband had adopted.
She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Elyria.
Her hobby was collecting figurines, especially Hummels.
Survivors include her brother, Edward Jasany of Elyria, and sister, Florence Meyer of Cleveland.
Services will be at 10 a.m. tomorrow at St. Mary Church, 320 Middle Ave., Elyria.
The Curtis-Scheuffler-Busch funeral home in Elyria is handling arrangements.
Plain Dealer, The (Cleveland, OH) - Tuesday, November 30, 1993
(info provided by Msmith #47320929)
HELEN C. ELY, 82, OWNED TAVERNS, WED MILLIONAIRE, FOUGHT CITY HALL
Helen C. (Sally) Ely went from barmaid to successful businesswoman before marrying the millionaire great-grandson of Elyria's founder.
She was nicknamed "Sally" while working as a waitress at Childs Restaurant in Cleveland with six other waitresses named Helen. The manager picked new monikers for each of them to simplify work assignments.
The former Helen C. Jasany longed to be her own boss and "with $50, a lot of nerve and credit," as she later told The Plain Dealer, she bought the Twilight Gardens at Pearl Rd. and W. 130th St. in Parma. Later, she owned Lindy's Tavern on Lindburg Blvd. in Berea.
In 1941, she moved from Berea to Elyria and opened the Northwood Inn on W. Broad St., where she was introduced to Arthur W. Ely, the last direct descendant of Heman Ely, founder of Elyria.
They were married in July 1951. After her husband died in November 1958, Mrs. Ely went back into business and operated the Supper Club at Lake and Elyria Aves. for a short time.
Later, she owned the Ely Inn, also known as Sally's, on East Ave. until retiring 16 years ago.
Mrs. Ely, 82, died Saturday at her home in Elyria.
She was born in a house on Thurman St. in Cleveland, one of nine children in a blue-collar household. When she married into one of Elyria's wealthiest families, she moved into a mansion in the posh Washington Ave. neighborhood.
When her husband died, Mrs. Ely became a trustee of the Ely estate and often was at odds with the other trustees regarding how the income from the trust should be used.
"Before becoming an Ely, I didn't have half the headaches, had no money worries since I owned my home and business outright, and I had twice the fun," Mrs. Ely told PD reporter Allen D. Ashbolt in 1960.
"I have no regrets, though. My eight years with a wonderful man whom I loved and who loved me were worth it."
In 1960, Mrs. Ely came under fire from city officials after placing oversized illuminated signs boosting the candidacy of John F. Kennedy for president and J. William McCray for Congress on her lawn. At that time, political signs were banned from residential areas by city ordinance.
Vandals and city workers repeatedly tore the signs down. Each time, Mrs. Ely had them rebuilt. The trouble only strengthened her resolve to keep them up.
Her challenge of the city law was applauded by members of both parties.
Mrs. Ely, a lifelong Democrat, financially supported candidates from the Democratic and Republican parties equally, continuing a practice her husband had adopted.
She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Elyria.
Her hobby was collecting figurines, especially Hummels.
Survivors include her brother, Edward Jasany of Elyria, and sister, Florence Meyer of Cleveland.
Services will be at 10 a.m. tomorrow at St. Mary Church, 320 Middle Ave., Elyria.
The Curtis-Scheuffler-Busch funeral home in Elyria is handling arrangements.
Plain Dealer, The (Cleveland, OH) - Tuesday, November 30, 1993
(info provided by Msmith #47320929)
Helen C. (Sally) Ely went from barmaid to successful businesswoman before marrying the millionaire great-grandson of Elyria's founder.
She was nicknamed "Sally" while working as a waitress at Childs Restaurant in Cleveland with six other waitresses named Helen. The manager picked new monikers for each of them to simplify work assignments.
The former Helen C. Jasany longed to be her own boss and "with $50, a lot of nerve and credit," as she later told The Plain Dealer, she bought the Twilight Gardens at Pearl Rd. and W. 130th St. in Parma. Later, she owned Lindy's Tavern on Lindburg Blvd. in Berea.
In 1941, she moved from Berea to Elyria and opened the Northwood Inn on W. Broad St., where she was introduced to Arthur W. Ely, the last direct descendant of Heman Ely, founder of Elyria.
They were married in July 1951. After her husband died in November 1958, Mrs. Ely went back into business and operated the Supper Club at Lake and Elyria Aves. for a short time.
Later, she owned the Ely Inn, also known as Sally's, on East Ave. until retiring 16 years ago.
Mrs. Ely, 82, died Saturday at her home in Elyria.
She was born in a house on Thurman St. in Cleveland, one of nine children in a blue-collar household. When she married into one of Elyria's wealthiest families, she moved into a mansion in the posh Washington Ave. neighborhood.
When her husband died, Mrs. Ely became a trustee of the Ely estate and often was at odds with the other trustees regarding how the income from the trust should be used.
"Before becoming an Ely, I didn't have half the headaches, had no money worries since I owned my home and business outright, and I had twice the fun," Mrs. Ely told PD reporter Allen D. Ashbolt in 1960.
"I have no regrets, though. My eight years with a wonderful man whom I loved and who loved me were worth it."
In 1960, Mrs. Ely came under fire from city officials after placing oversized illuminated signs boosting the candidacy of John F. Kennedy for president and J. William McCray for Congress on her lawn. At that time, political signs were banned from residential areas by city ordinance.
Vandals and city workers repeatedly tore the signs down. Each time, Mrs. Ely had them rebuilt. The trouble only strengthened her resolve to keep them up.
Her challenge of the city law was applauded by members of both parties.
Mrs. Ely, a lifelong Democrat, financially supported candidates from the Democratic and Republican parties equally, continuing a practice her husband had adopted.
She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Elyria.
Her hobby was collecting figurines, especially Hummels.
Survivors include her brother, Edward Jasany of Elyria, and sister, Florence Meyer of Cleveland.
Services will be at 10 a.m. tomorrow at St. Mary Church, 320 Middle Ave., Elyria.
The Curtis-Scheuffler-Busch funeral home in Elyria is handling arrangements.
Plain Dealer, The (Cleveland, OH) - Tuesday, November 30, 1993
(info provided by Msmith #47320929)
Gravesite Details
headstone inscription & burial plot provided courtesy of Ian McGuire from Sept. 2003 Eagle Scout Project
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