Eleanor "Ellie" Goodman

Ellie Goodman, a long-time community leader and philanthropist in Peoria, passed away Monday in West Palm Beach, Florida. She was 94.

Eleanor N. Goodman was born Aug. 9, 1920 in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, the daughter of Leo Jay and Frieda Silberstein Newman. She moved with her parents to Peoria when she was a young child.

As part of the Moses Silberstein family that came to the United States and landed in Peoria in the late 1800s, Ellie's family prospered in the real estate and lending industries. It was as a child she learned the importance of giving back to her community, a quality she carried with her throughout her life and instilled in her own children and grandchildren.

A graduate of Peoria High School, Ellie was a student at the University of Illinois when she went to a dance in 1940. Her date waltzed her into the arms of Marvin Leon Goodman and she never left. They were married on July 13, 1941 in Peoria.

She was at Marvin's side in several business ventures, including development of Service Realty Corp. with his partner and her uncle, Robert Silberstein. That company built many post-war houses in Peoria and later developed Sheridan Village in Peoria, the first shopping center of its kind in the region.

In 1971, she was with Marvin when he started Metro Centre in Peoria, which remains in their family and is operated by her grandson, Eric Brinker.

Ellie became known in Peoria as a community leader for her work with several charities and not-for-profit organizations. She was president of the Kickapoo Council of the Girl Scouts and helped establish and build one of the region's first Girl Scout camps, Camp Tapawingo.

She also was active in B'nai Brith in Peoria and served on the auxiliaries of Peoria's hospitals.

In addition, she and Marvin established a private family foundation from which they helped fund many activities behind the scenes, including the distribution of the polio vaccine to local children and college scholarships to students who could not otherwise afford to go to college.

Ellie often said her family was grateful for the freedoms they had in this country and that it was important they be stewards of their community. She instilled these beliefs in her children, Susan and Nancy.

Nancy Goodman Brinker established the Susan G. Komen Foundation in honor of her sister, who died of breast cancer in 1980. Now known as Susan G. Komen, it has become the world leader in breast cancer research and education. Ellie and Marvin were strong supporters of the organization in Peoria and Florida, where they made the home later in life. Ellie worked for other charitable organizations in Florida, as well.

Ellie and Marvin were married 66 years until he passed away May 31, 2007. She also was preceded in death by her parents and by her daughter, Susan G. Komen.

Ellie is survived by her daughter Nancy G. Brinker of Palm Beach, Florida; her grandchildren, Eric B. Brinker of New York City, New York, Scott M. (Marnie) Komen of St. Louis, Missouri, and Stephanie L. Komen of Chicago, and great-grandchildren Susan Madeline and Abigail Brooke Komen of St. Louis.

Services will be Thursday at 11 a.m. at Congregation Anshai Emeth, 5614 N. University St. in Peoria. Rabbi Brigitte Rosenberg will officiate. Following a private burial, the family will receive friends at the Country Club of Peoria.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Susan G. Komen Memorial Affiliate, the Kickapoo Council of the Girl Scouts of America, the Jewish Federation of Peoria or Congregation Anshai Emeth. Online tributes and condolences may be made at www.Woolsey-Wilton.com Davison-Fulton-Woolsey-Wilton is assisting the family with arrangements.