Ellen J. Secord McKeen

MIDDLETOWN SPRINGS - Ellen J. Secord McKeen, of Middletown Springs, Vermont, died six months ago, on May 27, 2017, at her home, surrounded by family. A two-month upset tummy led to an April 4th CAT scan, with pancreatic cancer taking her life 53 days after the CT scan report.
Ellen was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on Sept. 17, 1946, the eldest of four children born to the late Robert Secord and Dorothy Ames Secord. Growing up in Wenham, Massachusetts, Ellen attended local schools before attending Keuka College in the Finger Lakes region of New York State, receiving her bachelor's degree. She received her master's in mducation from the University of Vermont in 1972. Coming to the Rutland area to fulfill her master's degree commitment, she met Daniel McKeen in 1974. The two were married on Aug. 14, 1976, in Middletown Springs. Daughters Rachel and Amanda were born on March 4, 1978.
In 1974, Ellen became a manager of our area's first Rutland, Vermont, Food Cooperative. Ellen and Dan met at a food co-op dance fundraiser held at the Unitarian Church in Rutland. Ellen enjoyed managing the co-op, but when her daughters were born, she left the co-op and focused on homemaking. She created a vegetable business, selling her produce in Middletown, while she devoted herself to her family. Ellen homeschooled her daughters until the second grade; thereafter, they attended local schools. Ellen remained involved in education, being on the Middletown Springs School Board for 10 years.
Around the mid-1980s, Ellen took a position as an "Advocate" for the Southwestern Vermont Council on Aging in Rutland. This evolved into the position of "Information and Referral Expert," which she very much enjoyed and remained in until her retirement in 2011.
Always practical and logical, when Ellen's conscience was stirred to consider the claims of Biblical Christianity, she read the book, "Evidence That Demands a Verdict" by Josh MacDowell, which helped satisfy her of the Truth of the Gospel. She put her faith in Jesus Christ and was baptized at age of 43. She then got involved in the life of the Middletown Springs Community Church, where she served faithfully in many capacities such as deaconess, Helping Hands ministry, bulletin maker, directory updater, program technician and wherever and however there was a need.
Ellen was determined to learn about the Bible, always ready to participate in Bible study, asking questions and seeking out what God had to say from His word. For decades, she faithfully attended the weekly Ladies Bible Study at the Middletown Springs Church. Dan and Ellen also hosted weekly, small group, Bible studies in their home for 30+ years.
Around the year 2000, Ellen got involved in drumming with the church music/worship team, playing the conga drums and eventually a full set of "stick" drums. A fund has been set up in her honor to help other church family, both young and older, learn how to play and since June, it has helped several church family members to grow in the art of drumming. Dan's goal is to find a drummer to stand in for Ellen!
Ellen is missed by many in her community and church. She leaves so many memories for us, such as her 20+ years of ballroom dancing with her husband, even teaching it to others and making it a Rutland-wide ministry for couples to help encourage them in their marriages; or when Ellen cared for her friend, Natalie, as Natalie struggled with pancreatic cancer.
Ellen's ministry to others was evident in the wonderful celebration of her life, held at the Middletown Springs Community Church on June 3. Four-hundred-plus friends and family came to remember and share stories about Ellen. An audio recording is available for any of you who would like to hear this event. https://youtu.be/lb1CmIKSrBg. Eighteen minutes into the audio recording, a conga drumming set (video) performed by Dan and daughters is especially fun to watch and shows Ellen's legacy will continue.
Ellen is survived by her 96-year-old mother, Dorothy Ames Secord, of Alpharetta, GA; her sister, Martha Secord Young, of Alpharetta, GA, and sister Susan Secord, of Boulder, CO; Ellen's husband, Dan McKeen; daughter Rachel and husband Ryan Yoder, of Yoder Farm, in Danby, VT, their two children Asa and Taurin; daughter Amanda and husband Ken Carter, of Rising Meadow Farm in Middletown Springs, VT. She was predeceased by her father, Robert Secord; brother Richard; and brother-in-law Daniel Young, of Alpharetta, GA.
Contributions in her memory will go to the memorial drumming fund. Checks may be made out to the Middletown Springs Community Church (MSCC) and mailed to P.O. Box 1213, Middletown Springs, VT 05757. Just mention, for Ellen's drumming fund.
Dan encouragingly suggests that anyone reading this who wants to "hear," or know more about, Ellen, find the time to listen to her celebration service at https://youtu.be/lb1CmIKSrBg.
If you would like a celebration program "package" to follow along with the audio, email ellenmckeen@gmail.com and one will be joyfully mailed to you.