Ellen A. Brisske

Ellen A. Brisske passed away on July 3, 2024 after a 2-year battle with cancer. She died at home in Waynesville, North Carolina, where she had lived since December, 2023, surrounded by members of her family.

Ellen was born on February 12, 1949 in Hammond, Indiana. She spent most of her childhood in Alton, Illinois, where she attended Alton High School. She went to the University of Illinois her freshman year, then transferred to Monmouth College, in Monmouth, Illinois, where she met Heinz. She graduated from Monmouth in 1971, and began her teaching career in Hampton, Virginia, where she taught elementary education at two schools during their first year of racial integration. She married Heinz after his second year of law school on August 18, 1973, and moved to Durham, North Carolina, where she worked for Kelly Services while Heinz finished law school at Duke University. Heinz and Ellen subsequently moved to Chicago Heights, Illinois, and Ellen taught in the Crete Monee School District until the birth of their daughter, Laura, in August of 1979 in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. Their son, David, followed two years later, in December, 1981.

Ellen became a stay-at-home mom, volunteering her time at various charitable organizations in and around Glen Ellyn. She lived in Glen Ellyn until 2001, when she and Heinz moved to Wheaton, Illinois. During her years in DuPage County, Ellen enjoyed the company of friends in Glen Ellyn Newcomers, a book club (of which she was a member for about 40 years), a lunch group (which stayed together for almost as long), and a knitting group that introduced her to a new group of friends that were knitting enthusiasts like her. Ellen was an avid reader and knitter, and loved being in the kitchen, cooking, baking, and trying new recipes. She also enjoyed her time at their second home in Scottsdale, Arizona, from 2000 until 2021. She and Heinz gave up the desert, and they found a home in Waynesville, North Carolina, to which they relocated after his retirement at the end of 2023.

Ellen was a very kind and caring person, always putting others ahead of herself. She always strove to make the world a better place through her involvement in not-for-profit activities in social, children’s and environmental activities, among others. She was an amazing listener, trusted friend, and loving companion.

Ellen is survived by Heinz, her husband of almost 51 years, and by their children Laura (husband, Corey, and daughters, Lilia (age 12) and Josephine (10)), and David (wife, Jona, and their children Klara (7), Hazel (Zella, 3), and Scarlett (5 months)). Ellen is also survived by her sister, Frances Yelon. Ellen is predeceased by her parents, Jerome and Bernice Arkis.

No public services will be held. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Ellen’s memory to Project Linus: https://www.projectlinus.org/: or to Friends of Haywood Public Library: http://folhaywoodcounty.org/.

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