Ellen Finkbine

Ellen Finkbine, 78, of Summerville, South Carolina, wife of Dr. Dale Frederick Finkbine, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones after a courageous two year battle with breast cancer on Saturday, May 31, 2025. Her Funeral Service will be held Friday, June 6, 2025 in the Old St. Andrews Parish Church, 2604 Ashley River Road at 11:00 am. Burial will follow in the Churchyard. The family will receive friends Thursday, June 5, 2025 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm in J. Henry Stuhr Inc., West Ashley Chapel.

Ellen was born February 21, 1947 in Elyria, Ohio, daughter of the late Joseph H. Williams and Margaret Butler Williams. She spent her childhood in Bexley, Ohio and later graduated from The Ohio State University. While at Ohio State, she pledged Kappa Kappa Gamma and then met the love of her life, Dale, on a blind date. After marrying in 1969, they eventually moved to Charleston but continued to have a deep love for the Buckeyes. She was thrilled that they won the National Championship this year. Ellen was a devoted wife and mother. She had an endless spirit of joy, a wonderful laugh, and a quick sense of humor with a smile that lit up the room. She was humble and caring. Ellen taught kindergarten for five years but spent the majority of her life raising her four daughters. She served as a room mother to many classrooms over the years, always delighting others with her crafts and classroom treats. She supported her daughters through years of dance, choir, cheerleading, and spent 22 summers sitting on the pool deck cheering on her girls at swim meets. Additionally, she served as a Girl Scout leader, a vestry member at St. Michael’s Church, and on the Board of Visitors at Kanuga. She was involved with the Junior Service League of Summerville, the Summerville Cotillion, the Dental Auxiliary, and the Kappa Kappa Gamma Alumnae Association. She always put others before herself. Ellen loved to bake and would often bring goodies to others to show her love for them. She loved to sew, knit, cross stitch and smock and never left home without something to sew. One of Ellen’s greatest passions was music. She was a member of various choirs throughout her life and enjoyed singing up until her death. Heaven gained another soprano in her passing. Ellen’s favorite job above all things was being Marmee to her grandchildren, whom she adored and loved with all her heart.

In addition to her husband of 55 years, she is survived by four daughters, Amy Halford (Blair), Betsy Shannon (Leslie), Megan Griffin (Cameron), and Joellen Weidenmiller (Nick); grandchildren, Louisa and Mary Margaret Halford, Georgia Shannon (Laiken and Ellori), Sophia and Rhett Shannon, Avery and Elliott Griffin, Charlotte, Carter, and Nora Weidenmiller. She is also survived by her sister Joan Nafzger (Dick) and her niece and nephew, Jennifer Drake (Dan) and Scott Jordan.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

The family would like to thank Dr. Shelley Shand, Heather and Lisa from Charleston Oncology, the nurses from infusion, Felicia and the entire Roper Home Health group, and the nurses from Crescent Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Old St. Andrew’s Parish Church’s Music department 2604 Ashley River Road, Charleston, SC 29414, Kanuga Conference Center 130 Kanuga Chapel Road, Hendersonville, NC 28739, and Crescent Hospice 4401 Belle Oaks Dr. #105 North Charleston, SC 29405.

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