Ellen (Ferguson) Bruns, 80, passed peacefully into her heavenly home with the Lord on Thursday evening, August 16th, 2018. Her husband and two children were by her side. Ellen Louise Ferguson was born on April 15, 1938 in Portland Maine to (Linwood) Albert Ferguson and his wife Alice Rita (Timberlake) Ferguson.
Ellen attended South Portland and Portland schools, ultimately graduating from Deering High School in the class of 1956. Her activities included field hockey, softball, tennis, basketball, bowling and the student council. While attending school, she worked part time at Stratford Farms ice cream, FW Woolworth, Cushman Bakery and still maintained excellent grades. She entered the MMC School of Nursing in the fall of 1956 and then attended Boston University augmenting her nursing degree. After graduation from BU, she taught at the MMC School of Nursing. Ellen was active with the Right to Life movement and was a member of Eagle Forum, serving as President for the State of Maine Chapter.
In the spring of 1975 she choose to leave the nursing profession to spend time raising her children and assist her husband in a business venture. Eventually she became financial director of the company until retirement in 1998. She loved to knit, do word puzzles and read, going to the library weekly for more books. In the past, she enjoyed volunteering at The Root Center, helping children learn to read. Ellen, her husband and friends enjoyed taking cruises in various places around the world. For many years, Ellen cared for infants in the nursery and was the camp nurse for First Baptist Church of Portland, Maine.
Ellen was predeceased by her father Al Ferguson, her mother Alice Ferguson and her sister Linda Ferguson Young.
She is survived by her husband Robert Gregor Bruns, her daughter Laura J. Bruns Rogers and her son Andrew R. Bruns and his wife Krista, three grandchildren, Jordan I. Rogers, Cassandra L. Hanson Bernier and Logan R. Bruns. Sisters by marriage Cheryl Bruns Harding and her husband Richard, Francis Johnson Bruns and many nieces and nephews.
Friends and family are invited to attend a time of visitation on Monday, August 27, 2018 from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. in the Jones, Rich and Barnes Funeral Home 199 Woodford St. Portland, Maine. A celebration of life will be held the following day, Tuesday August 28, 2018, at 11:00AM in the Funeral Home. Interment will be at Forest City Cemetery in South Portland. On-Line Condolences can be given to the family at www.jonesrichandbarnes.com.
In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to The Root Cellar 94 Washington Avenue, Portland Maine, 04101 or ABBA A Women’s Resource Center 1250 Forest Avenue Portland, ME 04103.
