Ellen Daigle, well-known and beloved South Pasadenan, passed away peacefully at home on September 12th, 2024 as a result of a Gliobastoma. A successful entrepreneur, registered nurse and committed civic leader, Daigle loved her friends and family and cared deeply about people. She was curious about everything and loved adventure and fun.
Those who knew Ellen described her as “larger than life” and “a force of nature.” While
such figures often disregard those around them in the quest for self-satisfaction, she was something far rarer—a woman who loved fiercely and stood up for others, knew what was right, and acted on it. With her passing, the world is a smaller place.
Ellen was born in Queens, New York in 1941, the daughter of Lillian Samuelson and Joseph Saland. She graduated from University High School, was crowned Miss Pacific Palisades and entered nursing school at Los Angeles County Hospital, where she graduated in 1963.
In the mid-1970s, as a recently divorced mother with three young daughters, Ellen decided she wanted to spend more time at home. She attended a sign-painting class at Pasadena City College and courageously started a home-based, garage-housed, silkscreening business in 1978. She went door-to-door for orders, and ultimately moved her operations to a larger space in South Pasadena. Ellen built her enterprise based on her “business golden rule” to treat customers and employees the way she would like to be treated. Her hard work, business acumen, grit and creativity contributed to the success of Ellen’s
Silkscreening. Ellen’s business enjoyed early success, but 1984 became a pivotal year for Ellen both professionally and personally, as she completed substantial work for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic games. In 1984 she married Joe Daigle, who joined her in the business many years before.
The list of awards and accolades Ellen received in her business life include: One of the Top 100 Women Owned Businesses in LA County (4 years); South Pasadena Woman of the Year from Congressman Adam Schiff; Small Businesswoman of the Year from NAWBO and the California State Legislature; Shining Star award from Woman’s Club of South Pasadena, Recognition from the City of LA Recreation and Parks Commission for her passionate interest and support of their programs and events; Woman of Achievement Award from Business Life magazine; and Most Inspirational Businesswoman from State Senator Anthony Portantino.
Ellen was an active and highly recognized community and civic leader. Her contributions, both in official and unofficial capacities, are numerous and legendary. She served on both the Parks and Recreation and Public Safety Commissions in South Pasadena and was Chair of both. She helped form SPRIG, a group dedicated to responsible and intelligent growth in South Pasadena, was a co-founder of WISPPA, a group that promotes transparency in government and civic engagement, and an Executive Board member of Women in Leadership Vital Voices, dedicated to education and involvement in public policy.
Ellen served as a mentor to numerous candidates for public office. She received the Shining Star Award from the Woman’s Club of South Pasadena for her dedication to public service and the Senior Champion Award from the Senior Citizens’ Foundation of South Pasadena.
Ellen had a big heart and cared about people. An early activist, as a child, Ellen held fundraisers each summer in Long Island to combat Polio. She helped her employees send their children to college, a cause near and dear to her. She mentored and helped numerous people throughout her life.
Ellen is survived by her adoring husband Joe Daigle, her daughters, Raquel Schnitzer (Dr. Cary Schnitzer), Diana Koenigsberg (Howard Norris) and Angie Koenigsberg, stepson Michael Daigle (Katie), grandchildren Avi, Asher and Yosef Schnitzer, and Vivienne Norris, sister Bonnie Saland and brother Woody Saland. She was preceded in death by her brother, David Saland.
Ellen will be sorely missed by everyone who knew her and whose lives she touched.
A private celebration of Ellen’s life will be held in the coming months. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ellen’s name may be sent to Planned Parenthood, Skid Row Running Club and Ability First.
