Ellen Celia Conway Briggs, 89, a resident of the Presbyterian Home for CNY, formerly of the Alterra Villas in Clinton and a Clinton resident since 1953, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 22, 2008, at the home with her loving and devoted children by her side. Ellen was born in Brooklyn, NY on September 1, 1918, the daughter of John E. and Elizabeth (Hayes) Donnelly. She was raised and educated in Watervliet, NY, graduating from Watervliet High School and later received her nursing education from St. Peter's School of Nursing in Albany. As a registered nurse, she worked for many years at Hamilton College in Clinton, until her retirement in 1979. In August of 1943, Ellen married John J. Conway, sharing a union of more than 30 years. Mr. Conway passed away February 25, 1974. In 1984, Ellen married Sherwood Briggs. Mr. Briggs passed away in 1995. Ellen was an avid golfer and a member of the Skenandoa Club. Ellen was a member of St. Mary's Church, Clinton. She enjoyed gardening, arts and crafts, and loved music and dancing. Ellen cherished the time she spent with her family. Ellen is survived by eight daughters and sons-in-law, Theresa and James Cavo, Hilton Head, SC, Elizabeth and Stephen Pennoyer, Auburn, WA, Mary Ellen and David Welchons, Clinton, Roseann and Stephen Shablak, Rome, Kathleen and Robert Applegate, West Winfield, Sharon and Joseph Cozza, New Hartford, Nancy and Cosmo Castellano, New Hartford, Meg and Jim Clifford, New Hartford; three sons and daughters-in-law, Michael and Anne Conway, Clinton, Robert and Nancy Conway, Clinton, Patrick and Pam Conway, Clinton. Also surviving are twenty-six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren as well as a niece and two nephews. She was predeceased by an infant son, Edward Gerard, in 1958, and by a sister and brother-in-law, Catherine and Jerry Dooley. Ellen's funeral will take place on Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at 1:00 pm at St. Mary's Church, Clinton. Interment will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Clinton. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the Heintz Funeral Home, 10 East Park Row, Clinton, on Tuesday, from 4 ? 7 pm. Those wishing may donate to the American Heart Association in Ellen's memory. The family would like to thank Dr. Kevin McCormick, Dr. Mark Warfel, Sandy Gaetano, and the nurses and staff of the Presbyterian Home for CNY, especially the Aspen Wing, for the care and compassion shown to Ellen and her family during her stay.