Eunice M. Ellis

Eunice Marjorie (Branker) Ellis, 96, died peacefully at her home in Ipswich, Massachusetts, on October 29, 2025. Born in Boston on April 5, 1929, she was the daughter and oldest child of Julian Branker and Marjorie (Mitchem) Branker.
Eunice graduated from Suffolk University with a degree in social work, and shortly after her marriage to Wilbert Ellis, Jr., who predeceased her, the couple moved to Ipswich, where Eunice would spend the rest of her life. Eunice resumed her career as a social worker when her children, Michael and Donna, were of school age, and was well known in the town during her time in the Ipswich office of the Department of Transitional Assistance, followed by assignments in the Essex and Gloucester offices. Eunice enjoyed the family-like atmosphere at the Gloucester office in particular, and would remain close to the people she worked with there for the rest of her life.
Eunice became a member of First Church in Ipswich (UCC) in the mid-sixties, and found a true spiritual home. Eunice was a Deacon Emeritus and a friend of all. The family is deeply grateful and indebted to the pastors Rebecca and Stacey, and to all of the many people in Eunice's church family who provided so much pleasure and engagement in her final years. Bette and Mary Lou were very special friends, and provided immeasurable assistance to Eunice and her family.
Eunice was a social person and engaged in many clubs, including the American Association of University Women, the Ipswich Women's Club, and also, along with her cousin Enid, continued to attend events sponsored by their college sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, into their senior years. She was also a lover of music and theater, and greatly enjoyed season's tickets to the Cape Ann Symphony, and the North Shore Music theater. After retirement, she became active in the Councils on Aging in both Ipswich and Rowley, and enjoyed several group trips to Europe in the earlier part of her senior years. However, age did not stop her completely, and she continued to enjoy the Council's day-long bus trips well after turning 90. She also remained politically engaged, and was a loyal fan of the Boston Celtics. A keen gardener, she was often found outside working in her yard, and spent her final days peacefully, receiving her pastors, friends and well-wishers, and watching the neighbor's horses from her chair by the window.
In addition to her children, Eunice leaves her brother, Julian Branker Jr. of Haverhill, MA, and was predeceased by her sister, Judith Milburn, of Hingham MA. She also maintained close relationships with her extended family, and will be missed by the many nieces and nephews who made her last years so enjoyable.
The family is planning a celebration of life, to be held at First Church in Ipswich, and looks forward to greeting Eunice's many friends at that time. The burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to First Church, Ipswich. Arrangements by the Campbell Funeral Home, 6 High Street, Ipswich, www.campbellfuneral.com.