Ellen Bracken

Ellen Cleveland Bracken, 70, of Gulf Breeze, Florida died Sunday, November 6, 2011, in Gulf Breeze following a brief illness. A native of Atkins, Arkansas, Ellen was the daughter of Deane and Frank Cleveland, both deceased. She is survived by her husband Larry J. Bracken, of Gulf Breeze, and daughter Mary M. Eigenbrodt and husband Stanton, and grandchildren William and Annie, of Plano, Texas and son Quentin C. Bracken and wife Michiko, and granddaughter Sakura of Seattle, Washington. She has one sister, Susan Windham of Philadelphia, Mississippi. Ellen Bracken was a graduate of Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, Arkansas and held a Master's Degree in English Literature from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. She was a faculty member of the Arkansas Tech University English Department for eight years. Following four years in Pago Pago, Samoa, where she worked for the education department, she was federal programs and financial aid director for Garland County Community College, in Hot Springs, Arkansas. The Brackens moved to the Pensacola area in 1983, where Ellen worked for a life insurance company and a computer sales company before joining Network USA as a training coordinator. She also involved herself in numerous activities to support education, including the Gulf Breeze High School band program. She was also active in P.E.O. which provides educational opportunities for female students worldwide. Ellen always enjoyed travel and visited Tahiti Nui, Mexico, Bora Bora, Ireland, England, and Hawaii, along with San Francisco, Boston and Washington, DC. Ellen suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and stroke in 1996. She was a resident of Bay Breeze Assisted Living, in Gulf Breeze until her death. While at Bay Breeze, Ellen continued to enjoy her hobbies of counted cross stitching and 1,000 piece jigsaw puzzles. She treasured her many friends among the residents and staff of Bay Breeze as well as neighbors from Willowood in Tiger Point. Memorial gifts may be made in her name to the WSRE Public Television Foundation, 1000 College Boulevard, Pensacola, Florida 32504. Ellen loved the Masterpiece Theater series, Antiques Road Show and other PBS productions. Arrangements were provided by Rose Lawn Funeral Home in Gulf Breeze. The family plans a private service.