ZHUN, ELLEN MARIE STEMPIEN (17 Aug. 1922-5 Jan. 1993) was a real estate broker and one of the first female land developers in the Cleveland area when she created Foxcroft Estates in Russell Township in the early 1970s. She was also an interior designer.
Born in Cleveland to John and Antoinette (Brozyna) Stempien, Ellen graduated from South High School in 1940. She studied drafting at Cleveland College while working in the drafting department of the Weatherhead Co. During WORLD WAR II Zhun was hired as the first woman draftsman at the Gabriel Co., later becoming the senior member of engineering department.
She moved with her husband to Philadelphia in 1956. Returning to Cleveland in 1963, Zhun obtained her real estate broker's license and started her career with the W.I. White firm in Cleveland, becoming one of their most successful realtors. She then established her own brokerage, Ellen M. Zhun & Associates, operating in LYNDHURST and SHAKER HEIGHTS, for ten years. Zhun sold the firm to Edward Rybka in 1979. Suffering from lymphoma, Zhun moved to Florida in 1980.
Zhun advocated the rights of women and minorities. She was one of the first realtors to hire minorities and open housing opportunities for them. Zhun served as a trustee of the CLEVELAND AREA BOARD OF REALTORS during late 1970s.
Ellen married Peter Zhun on 20 Sept. 1945 and had six children, Mary Ellen (Russell), Janet (Nasif), Peter, Paul, William and Robert. She died in Clearwater Beach, Florida. Zhun, a Roman Catholic, is buried in All Souls Cemetery.