Ellis coxed the women's eight at the 1966 European Rowing Championships for Great Britain.
She won the coxed fours with Janis Long, Ann Shackell, Margaret Goodsman and Beryl Martin, rowing for the St George's Ladies crew, at the inaugural 1972 National Rowing Championships, on the new 2,000-metre course at Holme Pierrepont.
[1][2][3][4][5] She was the middle child of three daughters born to Robert Hall, a proof reader, and his wife, Mabel (née Steadman), a nurse.
She attended Ealing girls' school (West London), and the Guildford College of Technology (in Surrey).
[3] Ellis was appointed CBE for services to rowing in 2004, and elevated to Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the Queen's Birthday Honours List of 2013.