Ellen Louise Sparks

Sparks, (nee Paschall) Ellen Louise of Ann Arbor, MI formerly of Flint, MI died Thursday January 22, 2015. She was 103. Ellen was born on December 13, 1911, the daughter of James Blain and Sophie Matilda Paschall. She graduated from Grand Blanc High School in 1929. She married Harvey Vise Sparks on May 28, 1937; sadly he preceded her in death in June of 1977. Ellen was a 1958 graduate of the University of Michigan-Flint earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts and Education degree. Ellen was a world traveler with a profound intellectual curiosity; she loved her flower gardens, especially her roses. She was a life long animal lover. She also enjoyed spending time with her family and friends hosting innumerable social gatherings. Besides her family her main love was the opera and she was a longtime patron of the Metropolitan Opera of New York. Ellen was also preceded in death by her parents, her twin sister, Helen and her brother, James. Those left to cherish her memory are: children; Harvey Vise Sparks, Jr. and his wife Barbara, and Susan Stillwagon and husband Michael, sister; Alice Bearup, grandchildren; Catherine Sparks, Jane Ellen Argiero, Harvey Sparks III, Michael Stillwagon, Jr., Wendy Sparks-Weber and Matthew Sparks, great grandchildren; Sarah, Jessica, Rosa, Theodore, Sophie, Jacob, Hannah, Aleah, Michael, Julia, Betsy, Annika, and Alex, several nieces and nephews. Cremation has taken place and a memorial service celebrating Ellen’s life and memory will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church (1679 Broadway Street, Ann Arbor). The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. In Ellen’s memory donations may be offered to the Metropolitan Opera or the World Wildlife Federation. Please visitwww.muehligannarbor.com to share your memories or offer the family your condolences.