Ellen Elizabeth (Husselman) England

Ellen Elizabeth England (1953 – 2026)

Ellen Elizabeth England died Tuesday, August 4 at home following a long illness. She was born in Auburn, Indiana on November 24, 1953 to William H. and Mary (Brandon) Husselman. Her family had deep roots in DeKalb County dating back to the early 1800s. A 1971 graduate of DeKalb High School, England attended DePauw University where in 1975 she earned her bachelor’s degree in art and was invited to join the prestigious academic honor society, Phi Beta Kappa.

After graduation, she pursued her interest in photographic arts by enrolling in the Center for Photographic Studies in Louisville, KY. It was there that she met fellow student Bruce England, and the two married in Auburn in 1978. Having earlier moved to California, England enrolled in the library science program at the University of California at Berkeley, earning her master’s degree in Library and Information Studies. While there, she launched her career as a programmer analyst for the University of California’s systemwide library automation project.

She retired in 2005 and moved with Bruce back to Auburn. She took up photography again, earned accolades for her work, and began selling her photos online and in local businesses. She also began reading and transcribing the World War II letters of her parents, who both served in Europe during the war. Working together, England and author Barbara Olenyik Morrow shared her parents’ story in their 2023 book Army Guy, Red Cross Gal: The Lives & Letters of Two Small-Town Hoosiers Who Helped Win World War II.

Throughout her life, England battled health issues. As a child, she was hospitalized with a collapsed lung. Soon afterward she was diagnosed with Marfan syndrome, an inherited connective tissue disorder that, among other things, leads to severe cardiovascular issues such as aortic dissection, which she underwent surgery for in her mid-20s. Several surgeries followed to repair her heart and address other issues. Throughout England’s life, managing her health was her primary job, but she managed well, living far longer than doctors and others predicted in her youth. From the 1980s onward, she was active in the Marfan Foundation and helped establish chapters in Northern California and Northeast Indiana. She served on the foundation’s Board of Directors from 1996-2001 and from 2005-2007, receiving an award for her board service in 2007. In 2012 she was awarded the Cheryl Gasner Spirit of Service Award for her years of outstanding service to the foundation and the Marfan community.

Through her study of Buddhism, England gained wisdom and a greater understanding of compassion. She was a member of Insight Meditation Fort Wayne, where she developed strong friendships.

England was preceded in death by her parents and a stillborn brother, Daniel. She is survived by her husband Bruce; a sister, Anne Thomas of Auburn; and numerous nephews, nieces, and grandnephews and nieces. A service honoring her life will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, August 12 at Feller & Clark Funeral Home in Auburn, with visitation from noon to 2 p.m. prior to the service. Memorial gifts may be sent to the Marfan Foundation, 22 Manhasset Ave., Port Washington, NY 11050; the Eckhart Library Foundation, PO Box 928, Auburn, IN 46706, or Insight Meditation Fort Wayne, 2332 Sandpoint Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46809.

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