McNAMARA: Eleanor Brown , 67, of Burlington, Vt., died unexpectedly as the result of a cerebral hemorrhage June 2, 2004, at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Hanover, N.H. She was surrounded by her loving family when she died. Ellie was born June 13, 1936 in St. Johnsbury, Vt., to Marion S. and Lloyd F. Brown. She attended public schools in St. Johnsbury and graduated from St. Johnsbury Academy in 1954. She had planned to celebrate her 50th reunion at the Academy this weekend. Ellie married James J. McNamara June 25, 1960 in St. Johnsbury. Together with Jim, the love of her life, she raised four children, Christina Jane, Joseph Augustine, Margaret Brown and James Patrick. Ellie will be terribly missed by her children and their spouses, Alex Sens, Sue McNamara, Mike Jackson and Penni McNamara, and her nine grandchildren, whom she adored, Emilia and Jonah Sens, Caroline and Mary McNamara, Sean, Peter, Benjamin and Graham Jackson, and Claire Brown McNamara. Ellie received her bachelor's degree from the University of Vermont School of Education in 1958. She later earned her master's degree in education and a certificate of advanced degree, also from UVM. She began her long career in education teaching at both the Converse and Taft elementary schools in Burlington. After taking time to raise her children, Ellie returned to her career in 1978 as the director of the federal "Follow Through" program in the Burlington public schools. In 1980 she was appointed principal of C.P. Smith Elementary School in Burlington, a position she held for the next 17 years. Her leadership of C.P. Smith was her proudest career achievement, and working with the school's teachers, staff, students and their families provided her with endless rewards. Ellie continued her lifelong dedication to the art of teaching as an adjunct professor of education at Saint Michael's College, and most recently, as a supervisor of student teacher interns through the Upper Valley Teacher Institute in Lebanon, N.H. She was well-known in her field and enjoyed sharing her knowledge and advice with students, teachers and other colleagues. Over the years, Ellie was actively involved in numerous organizations in the community, including most recently the boards of the UVM Alumni Council and the Boys and Girls Club of Burlington, and St. Mark's Catholic Church, where she served as a lector, religious education teacher and member of the social concerns committee. Ellie also spearheaded many fund-raising efforts for worthy causes including several bond issue campaigns for the Burlington schools. A true Vermonter, Ellie led an incredibly active life. She loved to play tennis, ride her bicycle on the Burlington bike path, ski, walk, garden in her yard overlooking Lake Champlain, and entertain family and friends. Always eager to conquer a new challenge, Ellie recently took up golf, which she pursued with characteristic vigor. Ellie may be best remembered for all that she did for others. She was a friend to countless many who cherished her sense of humor, generous spirit, gift for conversation, and boundless energy. No matter how long the relationship, Ellie had a genuine interest in the people around her which she showed by always taking the time to talk or lend a helping hand. But it is her family that will feel her loss most profoundly. Ellie was a wonderful wife and mother who taught us all through her many examples of love, faith and selflessness. As a grandmother, Ellie truly excelled, sharing with her grandchildren a deep commitment to family, a love of the outdoors and an overall zest for life. We don't know how we will go on without her, but we know that she would settle for nothing less. In addition to her immediate family, Ellie is also survived by her brother, Frank Brown and his wife Joan; her sisters, Catherine Doyle and her husband Robert, and Elaine Powers and her husband Wendell; her sisters-in-law, Maureen McNamara of Burlington, Nancy Harris and her husband Clif, and Martha Mahoney. She also leaves many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. A Mass of Christian burial will be held Saturday, June 5, 2004, at 10 a.m., at St. Mark's Catholic Church, 1251 North Ave., Burlington, Vt. Visiting hours will be held Friday, June 4, from 4-8 p.m., at the Corbin & Palmer Funeral Home, 71 South Union St., Burlington. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Ellie's name to Vermont Special Olympics, an organization that was very dear to her. Donations may be sent to Vermont Special Olympics, 8 Avenue D, Williston, VT 05495.