Ellen Di Bella

Ellen Di Bella, 79, of Parker Colorado, died August 20, 2023

Ellen was born July 26, 1944 in Orange County, California to Edwin and Jane McCauley. She graduated from the University of Denver with a degree in Sociology and a subspecialty in medical social work. She worked side-by-side with her beloved husband of 58 years, Dr. Nicholas Di Bella, to build a successful medical oncology practice and raise two children, Catherine (David) Lindsey and Christine (Sandy, of blessed memory) Hamilton.

A truly gifted horsewoman, she bred, raised, trained, and showed dozens of Morgan horses over four decades, winning multiple World and Reserve World Championships, and gave freely of her time and talent, serving on the boards of the U.S. Equestrian Federation, the American Morgan Horse Association, and the Colorado Horse Park.

Ellen devoted her life to inspiring others and creating opportunities for equestrians and their horses. She was the founding President of the Western Dressage Association of America, a new equine discipline created to ensure that every horse would be valued and cherished. For her years of unstinting and generous service to the horse world, she received the 2019 U.S. Equestrian Federation Lifetime Achievement Award.

She also helped found Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers Foundation, now part of the Ray of Hope Cancer Foundation, which provides financial assistance to cancer patients and their families in meeting living expenses while fighting cancer.

In addition to her husband and daughters, Ellen also leaves behind her brother, James (Mary) McCauley, her three cherished grandchildren, Alexa and Alexander Hamilton, and Joan Lindsey, and many precious family members. She also leaves behind countless friends of all ages who called her “Mom”, and who she made sure always felt like valued members of her own family.

Memorials or donations may be made to The Ellen DiBella Western Dressage Scholarship at the American Morgan Horse Educational Charitable Trust. Please contact them at (802)985-4944 or https://www.morganhorse.com/amhect/grants-scholarships/ for more information.