BRINKS, Ellen M. entered eternal life November 25, 2009 after a brief and courageous battle with cancer. She was born October 29, 1932 in South Haven, Michigan to Mary Kenney and William Shine. Ellen met her husband Harold while working in the office at Sherman Dairy in South Haven, Michigan. Their first date consisted of her helping Harold with his milk delivery route. They married in 1954, after Ellen graduated with her teaching degree from Western Michigan University. She taught second grade in Kalamazoo while Harold finished obtaining his degree in education. They moved to the Dearborn area when Harold became a teacher in the Dearborn Public School system. Ellen became a stay at home mom, raising their 4 children until 1968 when she returned to the working world as a substitute teacher for grade K-6 in the Dearborn Public Schools system. After Harold's death in 1976, Ellen continued raising her family becoming both mother and father to her 4 children, who at the time were 19, 17, 14 and 13. She became active in Sealarks, a support group for any single, divorced, or widowed women based at Cherry Hill Presbyterian Church. She remained active in the group, serving as its president at various times until the group disbanded in the early 2000's. Ellen was a very active member of the church for over 50 years, co-founding the Cherry Hill Cooperative Nursery School, serving as a dacon and an elder, assisting in the annual rummage sale, a Sunday School teacher, a member of various committees and groups - Presbyterian Women, Pikeville Circle, Memorial Committee, and others. When the church needed to raise money for Glass Block windows in Fellowship Hall, Ellen knit scarves and sold them. She raised over $1, 000 and donated all profits to the church. Besides her various church groups, Ellen belonged to several Bridge clubs playing at least once a week. She loved to play all types of games and while competitive, she mostly loved the companionship and camaraderie of family and friends. Ellen also loved to travel. While her children were young, the family camped in their travel trailer and more often than not, the destinations included a lake or waterfall. She also traveled to Europe, Australia, Hawaii, the Canadian Rockies, the Caribbean and Nova Scotia. Ellen always needed to keep her hands busy. Her hobbies included making jewelery, tole painting, calligraphy, counted cross-stitch, embroidery, knitting, crocheting and sewing. Ellen's greatest joys in life were her family and friends and she treasured each and everyone. She loved spending time with her family, whether it consisted of traveling to their home or having them visit her. Ellen's generosity, kindness and genuine concern for people had a greater impact than she ever realized. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Harold. In addition to her children Gregg Brinks, Jeff Lisa Brinks, Cheryl Tony Mangeno and Amy Dave Podeszwik, she is survived by her grandchildren, Megan, Katie, Anthony, Tyler and Jamie. Also surviving are her sister Betty Page, nieces and nephews and many loving relative and friends. Friends and family may visit Tuesday, December 1, 2009 from 1:00 pm - 9:00 pm at Howe-Peterson Funeral Home - Dearborn Chapel, 22546 Michigan Ave. Dearborn, MI and one hour prior to the service at the church. A Service of Witness to the Resurrection and a celebration of Ellen's life will be held Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 11:00 am at Cherry Hill Presbyterian Church, 24110 Cherry Hill Rd., Dearborn, MI. Memorial donations may be made in Ellen's name to Cherry Hil Presbyterian Church.