Ellen Louise Colbrook, 79, of Stonington, passed away at 9:29pm on Friday, September 3, 2021 at Taylorville Memorial Hospital.
She was born on June 13, 1942 in Bloomington, the daughter of William and Mildred (Roggy) Morgan. Ellen married William Patrick Colbrook on January 20, 1962 in the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Stonington. She graduated from LeRoy High School in 1960 and graduated from Decatur School of Practical Nursing in 1961, becoming licensed to practical nursing through the State of Illinois.
Ellen’s nursing career included her love for geriatrics, where she worked at Dexheimer Nursing Home in Taylorville and later at Fairhaven Nursing Home in Decatur. She also worked at St. Vincent Hospital in Taylorville where she was hand selected to be on the first team of the newly formed Intensive Care Unit. Later her work took her to the Christian County Medical Clinic.
When Ellen was 50, she became a massage therapist. She graduated from a massage program in Alexandria, Indiana and went on to become Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage & Body Work. In 1995 Ellen opened Colbrook Massage in Taylorville, a business she operated for 18 years until her retirement.
She was an active member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, a 4H leader, and member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, serving as an officer with the DAR. Ellen helped her husband farm for a time and was the first female member of the Stonington Fire Department. She enjoyed taking part in lip-sync competitions at the Stonington Summerfest. Ellen enjoyed spending time in the garden, canning the fruits of her labors and watching Bill feed the birds. One of the many ways she gave back to her family was sewing countless projects and creating cross stitch Christmas stockings for her grandchildren. She enjoyed creating photo albums and memory books to document the history of her family.
Ellen loved playing card games of all types with family and friends for many years. Her love of the games wasn’t so much about the competition as it was the friendships and memories developed around the card table. Her card playing friends became her extended family. As shown through her work, Ellen was a true caretaker. She took great pride in raising her children and being the perfect homemaker. Her dedication to others extended to her grandchildren whom she dearly loved. She proudly hosted “Camp Grandma” for many years that included tea parties and hiking adventures, making memories with her grandchildren that will last forever. Ellen wasn’t just a mother to her 5 children, but proudly filled in for countless people that needed someone in their life to fill the motherly role.
She is survived by her husband: William “Bill” Colbrook of Stonington; children: Margaret Wilson (Brian) of Downers Grove, William “Bill” Colbrook (Kim) of Urbana, Robert “Bob” Colbrook of Downers Grove; Amy Wade (Chris) of Stonington, and Matthew “Matt” (Nancy) Colbrook of Taylorville; grandchildren: Adam Wilson, Ben Wilson, Sarah Wilson, Emily Wilson, Steven Colbrook (Robyn), Joe Colbrook, Natacia Stillwell, Zachary Tobias, Marcus Goines, Mirrah Stillwell, Hannah Colbrook, Denise Colbrook, Madison Colbrook, Garrett Colbrook, Sophie Wade, Rozella Colbrook, William Colbrook, and Zettie Colbrook; great grandchild: Beckham Colbrook; siblings: Jerry Morgan of Naperville, Kenneth Morgan (Marian) of LeRoy, and Keith Morgan (Sherry) of LeRoy; sister-in-law: Sylvia Morgan of Arizona; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother: Robert Morgan; and sister-in-law: Marge Morgan.
A funeral mass for Ellen will take place at 10:00am on Saturday, September 11, 2021 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Stonington with Monsignor David Lantz officiating. Burial will be in the Old Stonington Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00pm until 7:00pm on Friday at the church in Stonington. Everyone is asked to wear a mask to the visitation and mass. Memorials may be made to the Holy Trinity Catholic Church.
McClure Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Taylorville is assisting the family with arrangements. Memories of Ellen, or condolences to her family, may be shared online at www.mcclurefuneralhome.com.
