Ellen Irene Brusick, 74, passed away Saturday from complications after heart surgery. She was born in Olean, New York. Ellen was preceded in death by her parents, the Rev. Edward and Edna Brusick.
Survivors include her sisters, Evelyn Balch (Sonny) of Niceville, FL, and Emily Resta of Pompano Beach, FL; brother, Ed Brusick (Darlene); three nephews; several great-nieces and nephews; and her longtime friend, Marilyn Thomas.
Ellen graduated from Concordia College, Riverforest, IL in Elementary Education, and earned her doctorate in Education from the University of Alabama. She was fondly known as Dr. B by so many teachers, students, and parents. Ellen’s life’s service was teaching children – always the educator. She started her teaching career in 1965 in Huntsville at Grace Lutheran School. She joined the Huntsville City School System later as an elementary school teacher, and later as principal at Whitesburg Elementary School and Jones Valley Elementary School. She dedicated 50 years to her profession.
Once retired from Huntsville City Schools, she accepted an interim position as principal at Grace Lutheran School. She continued with tutoring at Ridgecrest Elementary. She was active in many community activities and events, including GFWC du Midi Women’s Club, several book clubs, the Huntsville Pilgrimage Association (Cemetery Stroll), was a Huntsville history aficionado, and played Mahjong regularly. She loved local art events, plays, music, and world and local traveling. She loved going to Dauphin Island which started as school sea labs and Estuarium, and loved walking her dog, Sally.
Visitation will be from 9 to 10 a.m. Thursday at Grace Lutheran Church. The funeral service will follow at the church with Pastor Russ Gibson officiating. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Grace Lutheran Church and School.
An ancient Aztec prayer says, “Only for so short a while have you loaned us to one another.” She will be missed by so many friends, family, associates, and students.
