Ellen Colbrun Kashian (née Duncan), died peacefully on July 30, surrounded by the love of her children and the comforting presence of her younger brother, at Lexington Health Care Center in Elmhurst, Illinois. She was 96.

Ellen was the proud mother of Sandra (Jim) Sieber of Lake Forest, Stephen (Rozik) of Winnetka, and Martha (Mark) Collins of Columbus, Ohio, who all survive her. She is also survived by ten grandchildren, one great grandchild, and her younger brother, Thomas Duncan. Her parents, husband and younger sister, Margaret, preceded her in death.

Born February 8, 1921 in Airdrie, Scotland to Martha (nee Thomson) and Thomas Duncan, Ellen immigrated with her family to the United States in 1932, passing through Ellis Island, an experience shared by millions of fellow immigrants. Her family settled in Evanston, where she graduated from Evanston Township High School and eventually held the position of Executive Secretary to Mr. Pirie of Carson Pirie Scott. She married Michael Kashian in 1950. They established their home in Evanston, where they raised their family and were actively involved in the Evanston Gospel Chapel. She continued to live in Evanston until his death in 1999. Ellen then moved to Lexington Square, joining her brother and other friends already living there.

Never one to move herself to the front of the story, she's nonetheless fondly remembered for her kindness and generosity to others. Motivated by her abiding Christian faith, Ellen found ways to be of service to others. She was generous with her time and deeply charitable. Their home was always open to visitors. She and her husband were involved for decades with International Students where they routinely hosted foreign students. An excellent cook and welcoming hostess, Ellen made sure that no visitor ever left her table hungry!

Services for Ellen will be held at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., in Wheaton, Illinois at 12:00 PM on August 2, 2017 with visitation at 11:00 AM the same day. A grave site service will be held at 2:00 PM at Memorial Park Cemetery in Skokie, Illinois, where she will be interred alongside her husband.

Memorial gifts may be directed to Bethany Chapel , 404 N. President St., Wheaton, IL 60187.