Submitted by: Dan Rich
Eleaner Poulin
South Bend Tribune 12/29/2007
SOUTH BEND - Eleanor "Ellie" "Ma",
87,passed away as she lived her life, quietly and with dignity,
with her daughter, Sandy, at her side on December 24, 2007, at
Naples Community Hospital. She was born in South Bend, Indiana,
on June 7, 1920, to the late Marion and Mary Lewiecki, and was a
lifelong South Bend resident until moving to Naples, Florida, in
2005, to reside with her daughter, Sandra Brinley Mediavilla.
In 1946, in South Bend, she married Wilson
J. Brinley, who predeceased her in 1974. From that
marriage there were three children, Elizabeth "Liz"
Brinley Strauss, of Orange Park, Florida; Sandra Brinley Mediavilla,
of Naples, Florida and W. Charles Brinley of South Bend. In 1976
Ellie married Harry E. Poulin, who predeceased her in 1992. Ellie
attended St. Hedwig Grade School and graduated from Riley High
School and then went on to attend Indiana University at
Bloomington. She left college to move to Washington, DC during
the war to assist her government by selling US Bonds. Ellie was a
member of Kappa Gamma Lambda Sorority since her high school days
and until her move to Naples she and her high school buddies
still got together for sorority meetings, bridge club and
luncheons. In addition to her parents and husbands,
Eleanor was predeceased by her brother,
Walter T. Lewiecki, of Atlanta in 2005; and a
granddaughter, Melissa Anne Strauss in 1969. She is survived by
her three children; nine grandchildren, Rebecca Clare Strauss
Jordan (Alan) and James Joseph Strauss II of Orange Park,
Florida, Leo P. Mediavilla, Jr. (Stacy) and Charles
Brinley Mediavilla of Naples, Florida, Sarah Mediavilla Woelfer
(Todd) of Granger, Indiana, Wilson Jay Brinley, Kristin Eleanor
Brinley, Carly Elizabeth Brinley and Charles Edward (Chad)
Brinley of South Bend; and six great-grandchildren, Cassie,
Danielle and Eddie Jordan of Orange Park, Florida (to whom she
was fondly known as "Granny Putt-Putt"), Jazen
Mediavilla of Naples, Florida, to whom she was "Great
Gramma" and Mia Lauren and Maren Elise Woelfer of
Granger, Indiana. She is also survived by her stepchildren, Dr.
Thomas (Mary Ann) Poulin of Granger, Indiana, their daughter,
Brie and son, Brandon (Erin) and their child, Eleanor's
step-great-granddaughter, Avery Elizabeth Poulin; Barbara and
Bruce Swanson of Charleston, Oregon and their two sons;
her brother, Edward M. Lewiecki and his wife, Virginia, of
Hingham, Massachusetts; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and
wonderful friends located throughout the United States.
Before her relocation to Florida, she was a
member of Corpus Christi Parish in South Bend. She will be
greatly missed by all who knew and loved her, especially by her
daughter, Sandy and special great-grandson, Jazen Mediavilla.
The two of them would play matchbox cars, color and do jigsaw
puzzles together while she was still able. May you rest in peace,
Ma, with Daddy, Harry, Grandma, Grandpa, Melissa, Uncle Jim and
all who have gone before you.
Visitation will be from 3 to 6 p.m. on
Sunday, December 30, 2007, in Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N.
Bendix Drive, South Bend, where a Parish Rosary will be recited
at 4 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10
a.m. Monday, December 31, 2007, in Corpus Christi Catholic
Church, with burial to follow in Highland Cemetery, South Bend.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes
Association, The American Heart Association or the Alzheimer's
Association.