Ellen Going Jacobs, a free-spirited and gifted medical illustrator, passed away peacefully in her home (Burlingame, CA ) on July 22, 2025, at the age of 82. Born on March 21, 1943 in Philadelphia, PA to Betty Webb and James Going, Sr.
Ellen is survived by her husband, Charles Nordlinger; nieces and nephews: Paul Willhouse, April Going, Christopher Going, Spencer Willhouse, Dyllon Willhouse, and Amanda Elizabeth Smith; and beloved friends. Ellen was preceded in death by her brother, James William Going, and her sister, Susan Caughey.
Ellen earned her BA in Biological Sciences and Art from Syracuse University and completed her Master’s degree in Medical Illustration at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (1967). A pioneer in her field, she had a long and respected career in medical illustration working with institutions such as Henry Ford Health System, Bay Area Medical Illustration Co., and Krames StayWell, before founding her own successful business, Going Digital, which she ran for over 30 years. Blending scientific precision with artistic brilliance, Ellen made complex medical concepts more accessible and engaging. Fondly known as “the queen bee of medical illustration,” Ellen was the go-to artist for patient information materials for Krames Communications, medical publications, trade shows, and pharmaceutical advertising projects. Her work was featured in the December 1985 issue of Omni magazine, in an iconic feature on male pregnancy — a testament to her imagination and bold, almost cinematic style.
Ellen was a deeply creative and curious spirit who brought precision and beauty to everything she touched. She lived with passion and purpose, finding inspiration in science, art, and the people she loved. She was often the smartest, funniest, and most creative person in the room, but it was her grace and kindness that defined her. She was a constant presence in the lives of her friends — steady, supportive, and filled with warmth. To know Ellen was to be charmed by her wit and buoyed by her compassion. She befriended everyone fortunate enough to cross her path.
In retirement, Ellen continued to explore her artistic side through painting classes and spent joyful Sunday “girlfriend days,” enjoying lunch and shopping along Burlingame Avenue. An avid gardener, she found beauty in the everyday and shared it generously. Even in the face of prolonged illness, her spirit never dimmed — her sense of humor and light never failed to bring comfort and laughter to those around her.
Ellen Going Jacobs was a vibrant soul, a brilliant artist, and a beloved wife, sister, Aunt and friend. She was a charismatic and exceptionally gifted woman whose passing is deeply mourned by her loved ones. Her legacy of creativity, kindness, and courage lives on in the countless lives she touched. Those wishing to honor Ellen’s memory may do so with a quiet moment of reflection.
