HERKIMER - Ellen Beirne (nee Heimlich), age 63, of Hillview Drive, passed away as a result of ALS on Friday afternoon, April 20, 2007. She had the comfort of her loving family beside her. Ellen was born on February 4, 1944 in Schenectady, daughter of the late Shirley and Mary Tricarico Heimlich of Guilderland. A graduate of Guilderland High School "Class of 1962", she attended State University College at Oneonta, where she received a BS in Education, her MsEd, as well as a certificate of Supervision of Student Teachers. On June 21, 1966, she was united in marriage with Gene Beirne in the Cotton End Church, Bedfordshire, England, UK. While in the UK, Ellen and her husband made numerous trips to the continent and around the UK. Ellen's first teaching job was at Clapham Road School in Bedford, Bedfordshire, UK. She taught there and lived in England for three years during her husband's military service. Upon returning to the USA, she was employed for three years as an Elementary Teacher in Sidney, NY. In 1972, Ellen was hired as an Elementary Teacher at the Richfield Springs Central School District. She kept this position until her retirement in 2001. While at Richfield Springs, Ellen began a Science Club. This led to many wonderful science fairs. Students also got involved in raising money throughout various projects to save the Brazilian Rain Forest. Her lifelong interest in pets led her to also raise money, collect food (younger students call her the 'et food lady), and support the Herkimer County Humane Society. Later she would be on the Board and help reorganize the Humane Society, developing the by-laws, putting it on a sound financial footing, Mutt Strut and set procedures. She also was Secretary for a number of years. She also served on the Education Committee as a Board Member and did many programs for area schools and organizations, speaking on the importance of pet responsibility. At Richfield Springs she developed the Heart Program (Honors Enrichment and Recognition Team) at Richfield Springs Central School District. It consisted of year long enrichment activities for students. Students looked forward to the camping trips and Challenge Course at Clark's Gym that wrapped the year up. Ellen had a strong sense of community; she was a Girl Scout Leader, a member of the Richfield Springs Fire Department Auxiliary, and a member of the Bridge Club. Ellen was an active sailor. Her first taste of ocean sailing was while living in the UK. She sailed on the North Sea. Over a period of 28 years she and her husband owned three different sail boats. Upon retirement in 2001 they sailed/motored their boat "Compass Rose" from Lake Ontario to Key West. They spent the last four winters sailing in the Keys and the Bahamas. After Ellen was diagnosed with ALS they sold the boat and canceled their plans to move to France for two years. In addition to sailing, she was an avid reader. Her students have fond memories of her reading to them on a daily basis. In her retirement she took up scrap booking. Each segment of their retirement was placed in a scrap book. In her quiet moments she enjoyed stitchery. Her favorite animal was the otter and she treasured her large collection of ceramic and glass otters. Christmas being her favorite holiday, she also enjoyed collecting Santas. Ellen was a teacher with standards for herself and her students. She dealt with her ALS the same way she dealt with life: courage and determination. The illness that caused her death never got her down. She will always be remembered by the many friends she made wherever she went and will be missed by all. Surviving are her husband of forty plus years, Gene Beirne; two daughters, Dayle Barra and her husband, Robert, Terri Norrbom; three grandchildren, Erica and Darren Norrbom, and Joseph Barra; as well as her great-grandson, Connor Dyn, all of Richfield Springs; and a brother, Robert Heimlich of New Mexico. Funeral service will be on Tuesday evening at 7:00 p.m. in the Church of Christ Uniting, Richfield Springs. The Reverend William Harkins, Church Pastor, and the Reverend Father Michael Guzik, a former student of Ellen's, will officiate. The family will be present to receive relatives and friends in J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home, 40 West James Street, Richfield Springs, on Monday from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. and Tuesday from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. Expressions of sympathy may be made with memorial donations to the Herkimer County Humane Society, PO Box 73, Mohawk, NY 13407. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.