Dina Arias Ortiz, BHS '64, Passed Away in 2019

Vickie Resor‎ posted the above photo and the following notice today, March 21, 2020, on Facebook:

Dina Ortiz (Arias). Class of 1964.

We recently found this image of our sister, who we lost nearly a year ago, in online yearbooks for BHS. I wonder if anyone who checks this page might remember her.

After BHS, Dina went on to Glendale Community College and became a dental assistant. She worked for Dr. Camphouse in Glendale until he retired an then for another dentist (or 2) whose names I don't recall.

She married and had 2 daughters, Vanessa Demaret and Veronica Ortiz and lived in the SF Valley all her life. One of the girls was diagnosed with MS in her early 20's and for nearly 2 decades our sister took care of her at home until we lost her on April 15th of 2019.

Dina was selfless as she was beautiful. She dedicated her life to her family and to Christ. As she was leaving this earth, she made it clear to us exactly where she was going and she was fearless. This was her parting gift to us - letting us know that she was going to a better place. Those of us left behind, can only hope we are worthy of the same place and will one day see her again.

If anyone on this board remembers Dina, we hope you will share your memories.

Ellen Hannah Gelbard Zell, BHS '70 (1952-2016)

ELLEN HANNAH GELBARD ZELL
March 10, 1952 ~ July 23, 2016

Ellen Gelbard passed away in 2016 at age 64. Sorry that we are just learning this now. Ellen attended Thomas Jefferson Elementary, John Muir Junior High, and Burbank High, graduating in 1970. The family lived on Eton Dr. while Ellen was in school in Burbank. Her sister, Susan Gelbard, was BHS '66, brother, Marty Gelbard, was BHS ‘68, and sister, Nancy Gelbard, was BHS ‘71. Their father, Dr. David Gelbard, was an M.D. in Burbank, and Marty Gelbard was also a Burbank M.D. as a Urologist, now retired.

Ellen and her husband, Joe Zell, attended the BHS ‘70 45th reunion in June 2015, just over a year before she passed away. They had lived in West Los Angeles for many years. In previous years Ellen had been employed at Rand Corporation in Santa Monica. Ellen is interred at Mount Sinai Memorial Park on Forest Lawn Dr. near Burbank.

Ellen Gelbard is survived by her husband, Joseph Zell; daughters, Rachel Zell Macht and Monica Zell Adler; granddaughter, Charlotte Rose Macht, born just before Ellen passed away; sisters, Susan Gelbard Fishman and Nancy Gelbard Kalb; and brother, Dr. Martin Gelbard.

The photo below is of Ellen’s memorial plaque where she is interred at Mount Sinai Memorial Park on Forest Lawn Dr. near Burbank.



The photo below of Ellen, daughter Rachel, and granddaughter Charlotte Rose was posted on Facebook on July 1, 2016, only 22 days before Ellen’s passing.



Alan Landros
March 4, 2020
With thanks to Rich Morrison, BHS ‘73, for research, and help with Ellen’s BHS senior picture

RIP Ellen.
Link to Find A Grave
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/184789736/ellen-hannah-zell