Obituary of Ellen Caroline Van Brunt Brennan

Ellen Caroline Van Brunt Brennan, 90, of Deerfield, IL, died January 12, 2005. She was born on September 12, 1914 in Southhampton, and grew up on her parents? potato farm there. She was the third eldest of four siblings, with two older brothers Rulif and Willis and a younger sister Caroline, all of whom predeceased her. She attended local schools and graduated from Cornell University in 1936 with a degree in home economics. She worked as a social worker in Southampton, and was married to James Brennan in 1937, upon his graduation from veterinary college at Cornell. They moved to Gloversville to establish a veterinary practice. Mrs. Brennan had two sons, Jim Jr., born in 1941, and Mike, born in 1949. She lived in Gloversville for 62 years, raising her children and presiding over a household that included, at various times, goats, sheep, a horse, a donkey, a deer, a pig, cats, many dogs, and many cows. Her husband was quite partial to dogs and cows. She was very tolerant of the agricultural lifestyle- the goats were often in the living room. Mrs. Brennan enjoyed reading, knitting and baking. In addition to her siblings, Mrs. Brennan was predeceased by her son, Jim Jr., who was killed in a farming accident, and her husband James, who died of lung cancer. She lived alone for several years, and then joined Mike?s family in moving to Deerfield, IL. She is survived by her son, four grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. Urn burial will take place on Sunday, May 15 at 10 a.m. at North Bush Cemetery in North Bush. Arrangements entrusted to Kobuskie-Konik Funeral Home, 51 Fremont St., Gloversville, NY.