What a race! No it wasn’t the athletic  sprint race I was watching at the Gympie State High School Athletic Carnival where Ellen became  a place-getter. Rather  it was a much longer race which Ellen  ran, keeping her eyes  firmly fixed on the goal to be one with Jesus, for about 80 years. Now she has finished her life race of 93 years and is enjoying her new life with Jesus and with her loved ones who have preceded her into glory.

Ellen was a brilliant student who topped most exams. As a young student she won an Australia wide essay competition with some financial reward. Decades later she informed the organisation that her father had helped her in writing the essay and asked how she might return the prize  money. However, they told that they appreciated her honesty but there was no need to return the money. This was a true indication of her desire to be completely honest in her commitment to Christ as her Lord. 

Ellen was born in Brisbane but grew up in Gympie where she became a believer to the Lord in her teens. From that time onwards she was fully committed to the Lord.  She was an evangelist who simply wanted to share with anyone, the good news of Jesus that she had experienced in her relationship with Him.

When we moved to Ipswich she did well at Qld Uni and began teaching soon after. Her first placement was at a Preschool in Ipswich but she later taught at the Presbyterian Ladies College in Sydney and many other places in Qld. 

In the late 1920’s her mother Dorothy and a friend Mavis had spent a holiday in Tasmania and later another in Coolangatta. It was there Dorothy met her future husband Charlie, and their attendants at their wedding  were Mavis and her husband Hugh. They remained best friends for decades.

In one of those nice things in life Mavis’ son Don fell in love with Dorothy’s daughter Ellen and they married soon after. 

Don became an Anglican minister and they faithfully served the Lord in Coorparoo in Brisbane and in country Queensland. They also spent some time in Sydney at the Healing Ministry in Sydney where I was in charge,  and my wife Carole as a Senior Head Teacher, employed her at the Loftus campus of TAFE. She helped those learning English as a second language and especially helped an international Rugby Union player in his ability to communicate. 

It was wonderful that they were able to retire to Forest Lake in Brisbane and eventually 4 of their 5 children also settled nearby.

As Ellen’s young brother I was always amazed at her intelligence  and her ability to handle any challenges. She encouraged me in many ways and especially when I gave my life to the Lord. Don and Ellen gave me  the first Bible I ever owned and always encouraged me in my ministry.

Summing up I would say that she was the best sort of sister one could be blessed with in life, and her children followed her and Don in becoming the highly intelligent and caring humans one could find anywhere. 

Praise God for the life of Ellen Ann Routley, born 29 February 1932 and who passed into the presence of the Lord on Thursday 10th July 2025.

She rests in peace and is enjoying her reward for her total commitment to Jesus.

Blog No.577 posted on Saturday 12 July 2025