Helen Ellis

Helen (Reynolds) Ellis, 81, of Farmington, wife of John J. Ellis, died peacefully at home on Thursday, August 18, 2011 surrounded by her loving family. Born in Hartford, she was the daughter of the late F. Leonard and N. Esther (Case) Reynolds. She was a former resident of West Hartford and a Hall High School Graduate in 1948. Helen was a Farmington resident for the past 53 years. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of West Hartford, where she was active in the choir and served on the Board of Deacons and as the church clerk for many years. Helen was also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Sarah Whitman Hooker Chapter. Helen loved flower gardening, cooking and baking. She was a gifted seamstress and was talented in embroidery. Helen was also an accomplished pianist. She was a bird and animal lover and advocate. Surviving are her husband, John Just Ellis, a son, Timothy Ian Ellis of Farmington; two daughters, Sandra Byrd and her husband E. James of Kensington, Rebecca Eckert and her husband Steven of Burlington; five grandchildren, Joshua and Sarah Ellis, Richard Eckert, Matthew Byrd, and Jessica Painter; and four great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held on Monday at 11:00 AM at First Baptist Church of West Hartford. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, West Hartford. Calling hours are Sunday from 6-8 PM at Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home, 411 So. Main St New Britain. Memorial donations may be made to the Memorial Fund at First Baptist Church of West Hartford, 90 North Main St., West Hartford, CT 06107 or to the S.P.C.A. of CT, 359 Spring Hill Rd., Monroe, CT 06468.