I have not heard anything about Barbara Bel Geddes, who played Miss Ellie, since the show went off the air. I know she left for a season for heart surgery, and Donna Reed took over the role. But, I had not heard anything about her health since the show went off the air.

Any ideas, anyone?

I think she is still alive, she is 81

Barbara Bel Geddes is still alive, but is in bad health. Donna Reed, 1984-1985's Miss Ellie, died in January 1986.

What type of poor health?

yea, she's still alive. barbara lives (alone) in northeast harbour, thats a little island in maine.
in a german magazine i saw some paparazi- pictures of her, in the garden and in her garage and so on. she wore joging shoes and sun glases. but shes very por and nobody calls her, not even her 2 daughters. but she dont looks very different from the dallas times.