Lifelong Supporter of Saddlebred Breed Shan Donaldson Passes
RELEASE: October 4, 2007
AUTHOR/ADMINISTRATOR: By Daniel Rieffer
An active and well-known member of the Saddlebred community, Shan Ellis Donaldson, died on Tuesday, September 25, 2007, at St. Joseph Hospital in Lexington, KY. She was 60. The Georgetown, KY, native became an equestrian at an early age, and her love of horses led to her parents, R. E. Ellis Jr., DMD, and Martha “Perkie” Ellis, founding the Longview Riding Camp. Shan and her husband of 40 years, Jamie Donaldson, started their own horse photography business. For many years, Shan could be found at the horse shows displaying their photos.
Shan contributed to the breed in many ways, which included helping to organize and archive the American Saddlebred Horse Association’s Jay McClasky collection of well over 4,000 Saddlebred photos. As a lifetime member of the Museum, she was a longtime volunteer who assisted with research, worked behind the scenes at special events and supported the staff wherever she saw a need. Additionally, Shan was a lifetime member of the United Professional Horsemen’s Association.
She is survived by her husband Jamie, sister Marti Ellis (Chuck) Lombardo of Georgetown, niece Ashley Adams and nephew Chris Adams.
A graveside service was held Monday, October 1, at the Georgetown Cemetery. Memorials may be made in her honor to Hospice of the Bluegrass, 2312 Alexandria Drive, Lexington, KY 40504, which can be reached by phone at (859) 276-5344 or (800) 876-6005.