Brigitte Cecilia Elwell

Obituary Brigitte C. Elwell 1953 ~ 2008 Brigitte Cecilia Elwell passed away peacefully at home in Port Orchard, Washington on March 4, 2008. She was born in Lincoln, Nebraska on January 27, 1953, and graduated from Hoquiam High School in 1971. Her education continued at Grays Harbor College, then abroad for a year in Germany, before receiving a Bachelor's degree in 1976 from the University of Washington. After teaching in Oregon for several years she moved to Port Orchard in 1985 to accept a position at Sedgwick Junior High where she spent the remainder of her career as a math, German, and music teacher. Music was a passion for her, expressed as a violinist in the Bremerton Symphony and as an active musician in local theater productions and chamber music groups. Other passions were hiking and animals, particularly her beloved dogs. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Eva Elwell. She is survived by her sister, Sandra Garrett; brother Thomas Elwell, both of University Place; Stephan Elwell of Federal Way; brother Michael Elwell of Huntington Beach, CA and her partner, Ron Sprouse. There will be a closed casket viewing at the Gaffney Funeral Home in Tacoma on Saturday, March 8 from 10-8 and celebration of her life will be held at the Clubhouse at McCormick Woods on Monday, March 10, from 4-6. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (www.pancan.org) or the Music Center of the Northwest. Please leave online condolences at www.GaffneyCares.com. Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home, 253-572-6003.