Ellen (Joy) Berlin

Ellen J. Berlin, 51, of Needham, MA, formerly of Brookline, MA and West Hartford, CT passed peacefully on Sunday, June 8, 2014, comfortably surrounded by her loving family and friends, following a courageous, dignified, and unflinching battle with a brain tumor. Although our hearts are heavy with the loss, we celebrate a life well lived by a wonderful and special person whose memory will be treasured forever. Her grace, humanity, positive attitude and determination are an inspiration to all who knew her. Ellen was an adventurer, world traveler, lover of art and theater, and more importantly, she treasured family, friendship and life. She had a wonderful sense of humor and laughed often. She had stories about everything. Above all, Ellen’s pride and joy was being a loving and devoted mother to Jeffrey Scott Berlin. Cherished daughter of Ruth and Bert Berlin, sister of Andrew Berlin and sister-in-law of Melanie Berlin and aunt to their sons, Benjamin and Daniel, of Davidsonville, MD, and niece to beloved Fran Baratz and family member to Edna Sears. Survived by many close friends who she held close to her heart including Veronica Dicke, Robin Sherman, Stacy Gross and Jan Fleischman, and nieces, nephews, extended family, friends and colleagues. Ellen was a charitable and caring person who had the gift of instantly connecting with people and affecting change. Many sought her advice and guidance, as she cared deeply about those around her. She was respected and trusted for her wisdom, insight and skill in helping find solutions to life’s challenges. Her sage advice will be sorely missed. Ellen graduated from Kingswood Oxford in 1980 and received her B.S. from Emory University in 1985. She loved her profession as a CPA and made it her priority to support the community. For over 30 years, Ellen held senior financial management positions at Combined Jewish Philanthropies, The Rouse Company Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Seidman & Seidman, and most recently, Director of Finance and Administration at Reach Out and Read. The funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, June 11, 2014, in the Sanctuary of Beth El Temple, 2626 Albany Ave., West Hartford, CT with Rabbi James Rosen officiating. Interment will immediately follow at the First Hebrew Society Cemetery, RTE. 12, Preston, CT. Following the interment, from 3:00- 8:30 PM, and on Thursday, from 2:30-8:30 PM, with a service each evening at 7:30 PM, the family will receive relatives and friends at the home of Ruth and Bert Berlin, 55 Uplands Drive, West Hartford, CT, In lieu of flowers, Ellen has requested that memorial donations be made to Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters Ellen J. Berlin Campership Fund at 333 Nahanton Street, Newton, MA 02459, or in memory in honor of Ellen J. Berlin to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute for Adult and Pediatric Brain Cancer Research under Dr. Wen at 10 Brookline Place West, 6th Floor, Brookline, MA 02445. Arrangements are entrusted to Weinstein Mortuary, Hartford. For further information, directions, or to sign the guest book for Ellen, please visit online www.weinsteinmortuary.com/funerals.cfm