Obituary of Ellen M. Spurrier

Ellen M. Spurrier passed away Sunday, January 2, 2022 at the age of 76 after battling diabetes and endometrial cancer for several years. Ellen was born March 29, 1945 in Syracuse to George and Mildred Berry. She was a graduate of Keuka College in 1967 majoring in Spanish and began her employment as a Spanish teacher at Bishop Ludden High School. Ellen was then employed as a translation technician at Bristol Myers International. In August of 1969, Ellen married John D. Spurrier and moved to John’s homeland, Australia for five years. Their beloved daughter, Ann was born in 1973 and shortly thereafter they returned to the United States and relocated to Syracuse. Ellen spent many years as a lunch mother at Our Lady of Solace School. Ellen was employed from 1989 until 1994 in the bakery department of Peter’s Grocery Store. Later she volunteered at the V.A. Medical Center and with the Diabetes Association. Ellen and her husband were communicants of Holy Cross Church in DeWitt and were members of their choir for many years. Holy Cross Church provided Ellen and John with powerful spiritual strength. Ellen’s family would like to thank the staff on the 12th Floor of Cunningham at Loretto for their wonderful, compassionate care provided to Ellen during her stay at their facility. Ellen is survived by her beloved daughter and son-in-law, Ann and Michael Emerson of Nelson, NY as well as nieces & nephews in Australia. She was predeceased by her husband, John D. Spurrier in 2015. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, January 6, 2022 at Michael E. Brown Funeral Services, 2333 Fenner Rd., Cazenovia with a reception to follow at the Lincklaen House. Private burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery in DeWitt. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ellen’s memory may be made to Holy Cross Church, 4112 E. Genesee St., DeWitt, NY 13214 or to the CNY SPCA, 5878 E. Molloy Rd., Syracuse, NY 13211 and also available online at cnyspca.org/donate. To leave a message of sympathy for the Spurrier family, please visit www.michaelebrownfuneralservices.com.