Ellen Adine Newton Brinkoetter embodied all the virtues of what they call "The Greatest Generation." She was unwavering in her dedication to family and friends, devout in her faith, and generous of heart and deed.
Born December 30, 1922, in Hickman Kentucky, most of her youth was spent in Ana, Illinois and later Detroit, Michigan. Ellen grew up during the Great Depression in a family that persevered and found humor and joy in even the darkest of situations.
After attending Bowling Green Business University in 1941, Ellen worked in Detroit before moving to Miami. There she met Lyle Edward Brinkoetter who would become her husband and father of her three sons.
Supporting Lyles military career and other professional endeavors, Ellen gave up her own career to be mother and homemaker. She oversaw countless family moves between Florida, Texas, California and many places in between. In 1954, life took Ellen, her two-year-old son, Gary, and six-month-old son, Steven, on an odyssey halfway around the world to reunite with the husband and father who was stationed in Japan.
The familys 18 months in Japan were the ultimate in cultural exchange. Ellen was enchanted by the Japanese people and their ancient culture, and the Japanese were equally enamored of her and her family. The two boys were the first blonds that the little Japanese village had ever seen, and she was the first redhead. When the family appeared on the scene, everything came to a standstill as townspeople craned to look or reached out to touch the little boys hair.
The family returned to the US and settled in Melbourne, Florida. In time, Ellen took a secretarial job at Patrick Air Force Base. Her career at Patrick spanned 42 years, the last 13 as Secretary to the Base Commander. She took enormous pride in her job and being part of the complete history of the manned space program, from John Glenns historic first flight in 1962 to the Space Shuttle Program. For many years Ellens office was on the flight line where astronauts would arrive in their T-38 jets. Their first stops in Florida were usually Ellens office and then the bathroom.
Shortly after the birth of their third son, Terry, in 1963, Ellen and Lyle divorced. Managing the household of three boys fell exclusively to Ellen who used all her creativity to ensure that her secretarys salary kept her family housed, fed and secure.
In the years that followed, Ellen opened her home to an endless array of family and friends. The invitation was always the same whatever you need and for however long. Such was the giving spirit of this amazing woman.
Nowhere was that spirit more evident than in 1974 when her Father passed away. Ellen extended a gracious offer for her 74-year-old Stepmother, Mellie Newton, to come and live with her. Little did Ellen know that Mellie would live another 20+ years to within days of turning 103. Ellen often joked that she spent more time raising Mellie than she did any of her three boys.
Ellen retired from Patrick Air Force Base in 1997, and Mellie passed away in 1998. This opened the door for Ellen to do more for herself and others. She traveled, visiting family and friends and touring landmarks in the US and abroad. She also began many happy years of volunteer work for Holmes Regional Medical Center. Much of that time was spent pushing wheelchairs, a job she relished until 2006 when deteriorating hearing required her to take a hospital "desk job."
That desk job entailed editing the hospitals printed material, a job for which no one was better suited. Ellen was a lifelong lover of the English language and took special joy in being a member of the Society for the Preservation of English Language and Literature (SPELL). She was quick to send "goof" cards to newspapers, magazines and others who defiled the language with bad grammar, misspellings or poor syntax. As her hearing diminished, she loved to share examples of riotous errors she saw in television close captioning.
Ellen was a 40-year member of River Run Christian Church (originally Eau Gallie Christian Church). All those who knew Ellen will miss her endless common sense, compassion and sense of humor.
Ellen is survived by her loving family: sons, Gary Brinkoetter of Cape Canaveral, Steven Brinkoetter of Deland and Terry Brinkoetter of Atlanta, five grandchildren, three great grandchildren, sister in law, Allie Newton, nephews Charles Newton of Denver and Chris Newton of Miami, and four great nieces and nephews. Though not relatives, many others lovingly called her "Mom."
At her request, no service will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations to either of the following organizations would serve others in need: Easter Seals of Melbourne, 6050 Babcock Street SE, Palm Bay, FL 32909. (321)723-4474, Holmes Regional Medical Center/Auxiliary Services, 1350 South Hickory Street, Melbourne, FL 32901 (321) 434-8519.