Eleanor Dorothy Dennis Brogan

Ellee was born March 10, 1930 to Dorothy and Clarence Dennis in Lyons, Ontario, Canada and passed away August 22, 2011 in Plano, Texas. Ellee grew up in Michigan. She was an accomplished pianist and organist and played the organ for her church in high school. She was also an accomplished athlete and played all sports but excelled at basketball. She also skated competitively. She attended Michigan State University where she was involved with music, theater and the arts. She continued with her piano as well as children’s theater. She played piano for the Michigan State Football Team as they attempted to practice ballet to perfect their moves. She was a certified referee for women’s collegiate basketball. She was also elected “Sweetheart” for a fraternity and was featured in a movie clip that hit all major theaters where her parents saw her on the big screen.

She met the love of her life in 5th grade in Hartland, Michigan. Tom saw her on the playground and said that is the girl that I am going to marry. She did not share his enthusiasm. However together at Michigan State where Tom played football and she was extremely involved they rekindled the romance. She married Thomas William Brogan in 1953. Ellee was a military wife and mother and accompanied Tom on the journey as they spent 20 years in the service of their country. Tom was an officer in the United States Army retiring as a Lt. Colonel. Ellee and Tom traveled the world and lived in Austria, Germany and throughout the United States. They relocated 18 times before finding Texas and making it a permanent home. She was also a mother and father during Tom’s two long tours in Vietnam. Ellee was a school teacher and substituted numerous times throughout their travels. She also was involved in both Methodist and Presbyterian churches as well as military chapels where she taught Sunday School, Children’s Theater and volunteered with numerous charities. She was known for her social and entertainment skills and orchestrated and attended numerous military balls, and events. Ellee and Tom retired in Tyler, Texas. Ellee loved golf and was the President of the Women’s Golf Association at Willow Brook Country Club several times during the past 26 years. Ellee and Tom enjoyed playing golf together as well as couples golf and even took a golf trip to Portugal. Ellee served as President of her Garden Club. She loved her rose garden in their home in the historic district of Tyler. Ellee loved her grandchildren and had many happy summers where they visited and attended camp at Willow Brook Country Club.