“Though her time on earth was brief, the light she shared continues to shine in all who knew her.”
Ellen Elizabeth Getten of Houston, Texas, passed away on July 4, 2025, during her first summer at Camp Mystic, alongside cherished cabinmates, counselors, and friends. She was just nine years old — a radiant spark in the lives of her family and friends, and now, as her loved ones say, she is dancing joyfully with her friends in heaven.
Ellen was the beloved daughter of Jennifer Wilson Getten and Douglas Vandever Getten, and the treasured little sister and best friend of Gwynne Olivia Getten. Her bond with her sister was deep and joyful — they were, in every sense, soulmates.
Born on June 7, 2016, in Houston, Ellen brought happiness into the world from the very moment she arrived. She began her school years at The House of Pooh Corner, where her natural joy, laughter, and curiosity made each day memorable. She then went on to attend St. John’s School, starting in kindergarten, where she proudly wore her red uniform and walked into her first day with Gwynne and her cousin Giraud at her side — a memory that would become a family treasure.
Ellen loved going to school. She found delight in seeing her friends and teachers each day, and she met every opportunity with excitement and wonder. She practiced her tennis swings with determination, gave her best in golf, and proudly swam with the Mean Green swim team, earning medals and friendships along the way. Still, her favorite pastime was playing Roblox with her sister — their laughter echoing through the house.
She was, quite simply, a friend to everyone. Whether at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, St. John the Divine Episcopal Church, the Houston Country Club, Camp Mystic, or among her neighbors, Ellen had a way of making everyone feel seen and loved. To her, there were no strangers — only friends she hadn’t hugged yet.
Beautiful inside and out, Ellen was known for her adorable freckles, which she collected proudly over the years, and her signature glasses that made her uniquely Ellen. She ate every meal with gusto, usually wearing the evidence on her clothes, and had an enthusiastic love for spaghetti with red sauce and gelato — especially after discovering it during a special trip to Italy with her grandparents.
She was the queen of big hugs — never letting anyone leave her presence without one — and she filled her home with warmth, affection, and giggles. Her “silly dances” with Gwynne and her cousins, the beloved nighttime dance parties at Bubble Inn at camp, and her joyful energy were contagious.
Some of her happiest moments were the quiet ones: cuddled on the sofa with her family, her arms full of stuffed avocado toys, watching American Idol or a Hallmark movie at her grandparents’ house. She celebrated her ninth birthday at Walt Disney World, surrounded by magic and her favorite people — a memory her family will always hold close.
Ellen woke up happy, went to bed happy, and made life sweeter for everyone in between. Though her nine years were far too short, her impact was immeasurable. She will be forever remembered for her kindness, infectious laughter, joyful spirit, and the pure love she gave so freely.
Her family, friends, and community will carry her in their hearts forever — a beautiful girl who brought light wherever she went, and whose smile will never be forgotten.
