Lydia Cecilia Armstrong Ellison passed away peacefully of natural causes on July 15, 2026, surrounded by her family. Her life was defined by faith, service, courage, and love. Though her fondest wish was to reach her 100th birthday, those who knew her celebrate the extraordinary 95 years she was blessed to live. 

Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, Lydia was the daughter of Alvin Armstrong and Bonita Richardson Armstrong. Together with her beloved sister, Joan Amanda Armstrong, she grew up surrounded by a family rich in tradition, resilience, and cultural heritage.  In 1940, Lydia's family relocated to Chicago, Illinois, in search of greater opportunities. The women of her family built a loving home, where strength, perseverance, and faith carried them through both joy and hardship alike. After the loss of her mother at age 13, Lydia's determination and grace only deepened. 

A gifted student with a heart for supporting families in need, Lydia graduated from Holy Name Cathedral Prep High School and earned her bachelor's degree in Sociology from St. Xavier University in 1952, the start of her lifelong commitment to public service. 

While working at Catholic Charities as a social worker and campaigning for Congressman Abner Mikva in 1956, Lydia met the love of her life, Ollie B. Ellison, then a PhD student at the University of Chicago. They married in 1957, beginning a partnership that would span decades of devotion, adventure, and shared purpose. After exchanging vows, they drove from Chicago Ill to Washington, D.C., as Ollie began his distinguished career as one of the U.S. Department of State’s first African American Foreign Service Officers. 

Together, Lydia and Ollie built an extraordinary life centered on family, public service, and discovery.  They shared a love of classical music, opera, politics, and travel. With four children in tow, they lived in numerous countries throughout Africa, Asia and Europe where Lydia embraced local traditions, formed lifelong friendships and showed her family that the world was vast, connected and beautiful.  Her love of art and her professional training as an interior designer complimented her deep appreciation for history and anthropology. Whether serving as a social worker, teacher, a U.S. Embassy Liaison Officer, refugee camp volunteer, or as a member of the Africa Bureau team at the State Department, Lydia dedicated herself to building bridges across cultures and supporting the communities in which she lived.  Her curiosity, warmth, and generosity made every place feel like home. 

After returning to the United States, Lydia continued her mission-driven career with the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of African Affairs, serving until her retirement at the remarkable age of 80, an age that did little to slow her down. She went on to devote herself to St. Andrew's Parish, becoming one of the founding members of the St. Stephen's Ministry Group, serving her church community with compassion, wisdom, and humility. 

Above all else, Lydia cherished her family, instilling in them the values that defined her own life: courage, resilience, humility, and service to others. She led not through words alone, but through a life lived with integrity, generosity, and unwavering faith. 

Lydia possessed an infectious joie de vivre, greeting each new experience with optimism, each challenge with grace, and each person with genuine kindness. She believed deeply in the dignity of every person and the power of love to transcend every border. Her legacy lives on in the family she cherished, the communities she strengthened and the countless lives, across continents and generations, that she touched with her warmth and faith.  

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ollie B. Ellison; her sister, Joan Amanda Armstrong; and her daughter-in-law, Page W Ellison. 

She leaves to cherish her memory her children, Ollie B. Ellison, Sylvia J. Ellison, Bonita J. Ellison (W Bernard Drum), and Rebecca W. Ellison; her grandson, Alexander W. Ellison-Drum; along with extended family members, dear friends, and the many lives she touched throughout her remarkable journey. 

The family is deeply grateful to members of the Stephens Ministry Group at Saint Andrew Apostle Church for their loving care and spiritual support of Lydia and her family over the years. Their outreach and kindness meant the world to her.  

The family invites those wishing to honor Lydia's memory to continue her lifelong commitment to faith, service, and compassion. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in her name may be made to Catholic Charities USA or Catholic Relief Services for international aid.  

Lydia’s funeral mass will be held on Thursday, July 30 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Andrew's Church, 11600 Kemp Mill Road, Silver Spring MD. Burial will follow at Parklawn Memorial Park and Menorah Gardens, 12800 Veirs Mill Rd. Rockville MD at 12:30 p.m. A repast will be held afterward at 1:30 p.m. at the Brookside Gardens Auditorium, 1800 Glenallen Ave, Wheaton MD.