Ella Mae Noffsinger, 84, who retired in 1991 as the senior museum scientist in charge of the UC Davis Nematode Collection, passed away March 22, 2018 in Woodland. She was a longtime resident of Palm Gardens Assisted Living, Woodland.
Noffsinger was instrumental in the development of the nematode collection, and collaborated with many nematologists in the description of species, said Steve Nadler, professor and chair of the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology. Active in the Society of Nematologists (SOM) when few women were participating, she served on the SOM executive board and as the editor of the Nematology Newsletter, as well as numerous other committees.
During her career, her research and work took her from Colorado to Wisconsin to Chile: from the Beet Sugar Development Foundation in Fort Collins, to the University of Wisconsin, in Madison, and to Santiago, Chile, from 1967 to 1969. She worked with UC Davis nematologist M. W. Allen for many years.
A native of Center, Colo., she was born into the rural ranching family of Doc and Ruth Noffsinger on March 15, 1934. She received her bachelor's degree at what is now Colorado State University, and her master's degree in 1958 from California State University in zoology.
After retiring, she spent most of her time along the coast of Brookings, Ore., enjoying fishing, and other coastal pursuits. She is preceded in death by her parents and brothers. Survivors include her many nieces and nephews, as well as her close friends in the Woodland and Davis area.
Memorial donations may be made to the Salvation Army, "or the charity of your choice," her family indicated.
Resource:
History of Nematology at UC Davis