Heidi Schweizer Ely
May 13, 1934 -
Dec 24, 2022
Heidi Schweizer Ely, 88, passed away unexpectedly in Durham, N.H., on Dec. 24, 2022, after a brief illness. She was surrounded by family for Christmas.
Heidi was raised by her mother, Mattiebelle Hubbart Carmen, and her maternal grandparents after the death of her father, Hans Schweizer, who was killed in an accident before she was born. She grew up in Chicago, Ill., attending New Trier high school and then Connecticut College, where she earned a degree in history. During her junior year, she lived in Switzerland, where her father had grown up and where she had spent her childhood summers. She learned how to ski in the Alps and speak French like a local. After graduating, she moved to Washington, D.C., to start a career as a Congressional aide.
It was in Washington that she went on a blind date with Robert "Bob" Ely, who was on assignment with the senator from the new state of Alaska. She and Bob fell in love and married in 1966 and drove to Alaska, where they lived for the next 40 years.
Heidi was a dedicated mother to their three children and a valued member of the Anchorage, Alaska, community. She served on commissions in city planning and the arts and had a special commitment to Bean's Cafe. Throughout their lives, Heidi and Bob traveled the world, visiting over 40 countries on hiking, biking and adventure trips. In 2013, Heidi and Bob moved to New Hampshire to be closer to their children and grandchildren.
Heidi brought a maverick's energy to the art and creativity that permeated her life. She and Bob remodeled their homes with painted ceilings, ladders, swings and trap doors. Her love of color shaped her walls, clothes, quilts and costumes, knitted sweaters and hats, and curated objects and art. After raising her children, Heidi started a business making and selling hand-painted furniture and glassware. She loved and made beauty wherever she lived. She will be remembered for the passions she shared with family and friends: her love of Alaska and adventure, her strong opinions, her quick mind and her love of art and beauty.
Heidi is survived by her three children, Scheffer Ely of Emeryville, Calif., Malin Ely Clyde of Durham, N.H., and Winston Ely of Brooklyn, N.Y.; and five grandchildren, Abby Clyde, Taylor Clyde, Keira Ely, Yeimer Ely and Emory Ely. A sixth beloved granddaughter, Clara Ely, passed away in 2017; and her loving husband Bob passed away in March 2022.
A gathering to celebrate Heidi and Bob's lives is planned for Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023, at 11 a.m., at Crow Creek Mine in Girdwood, Alaska. For those wishing to honor her memory, donations to Bean's Cafe would be welcome: https://beanscafe.org/.
