I (and many others) received this email from Patricia Ellsberg. Dan Ellsberg who passed away on 16 June at the age of 92, is one of my heroes on a very short list. I especially like her reference to living “a life of meaning and purpose.” This is exactly what I said about my mother, Lois (Isaac) Ashwill Malcolm, who passed away on 12 May 2023 at the ripe old age of 98: “A life well-lived imbued with purpose, meaning, and impact is one of the best ways to honor her memory.”

6 July 2023

Dear Friends,

I wish to thank deeply each of you who reached out to Dan, me, and the family during the last four months of 

Dan’s life. Your messages warmed his heart enormously and reaffirmed for us how much the man we loved was admired and cherished by so many.

The months following Dan’s diagnosis were lived with love and in celebration of life. He enjoyed casting aside his dietary restrictions, watching his favorite movies, going to the beach, and visiting with beloved family members. Through 

many media interviews, he robustly communicated his lifelong concerns about the dangers of nuclear weapons and wars of intervention. 

He remained in good spirits throughout. His passing was peaceful.

I want to express my immense appreciation to:

…Patrice Wynne, a close friend of Dan and mine, who left her life in Mexico to stay for the entire time of Dan’s illness, and even after his death, to support us. I will always be grateful for her tireless devotion, spirited attention to details, and loving presence every day.

…Jan Thomas, who is so much more than Dan’s assistant, and who greatly supported us through this challenging time. Her enormous skills are being put to superb use in organizing 60 years of Dan’s vast writings and papers for the Daniel Ellsberg Archive at University of Massachusetts Amherst.

…Tom Reifer, who over many years was like a son to Dan, and who has become a member of our family. He kept watch in the early morning hours, making it possible for all of us to be present for Dan’s final breaths.

…Hospice East Bay, especially nurse Jillian Tobin, whose kindness and skillful care kept Dan out of pain throughout. Words cannot express how much Dan and all of us benefited from hospice support.
…the phenomenal Julia Pacetti, who served as Dan’s media representative for many years. She greatly amplified his voice, bringing media attention to Dan’s urgent concerns in the months leading up to his passing.
…and finally, special appreciation to our children Robert Ellsberg, Mary Ellsberg, and Michael Ellsberg. They each brought their unique skills and deep devotion to the loving care of their father. Beloved grandchildren Nicholas Ellsberg, Lukey Ellsberg, Catherine Ellsberg, Julio Martinez, and Ana Martinez also gave great joy to Dan and me during their visits.

There has been an enormous global outpouring of media coverage of Dan’s life and work. Links to selected obituaries and tributes can be found at Dan’s website.

A Zoom memorial will be scheduled in the coming months. No date has been set; we will notify you when plans have been finalized.It is hard for all of us to lose this extraordinary man. Still, we can take great comfort, as Dan did, in knowing that he lived a life of meaning and purpose, profoundly enriched by you, his community of family, friends and colleagues. 

His indomitable spirit will live on in our hearts and actions.

With love and gratitude,
Patricia Ellsberg