Memorials

Born September 21, 1947, in Westwood, she passed away on October 6, 2024, at the age of 77 while under the attentive care of Lassen House Senior Living in Red Bluff.

Ellen was the eldest child of Gabriele S. “Minki” Brown and Richard A. “Dick” Brown. She spent her childhood in Mineral, where her parents settled after her father’s service in World War II. Ellen’s upbringing in the woods and meadows of Lassen fostered her adventurous spirit, affinity for nature, persistent curiosity, and lifelong love of books and reading. She shared these traits generously with her family and friends.

Ellen was Valedictorian at Mercy High School in Red Bluff and earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree from UC Davis, as well as a Lifelong Teaching Credential from Chico State University and a Master’s Degree in Library Science from Boise State University.

After meeting him at UC Davis, Ellen married Darryl Cernusak in December 1969. They raised four children, while living in Davis, Palo Alto, and Santa Rosa, before settling in Boise, Idaho, in 1978. Ellen lived in Boise for 40 years before returning to Mineral later in life.

Ellen cherished simple pleasures--exploring historical landmarks, visiting rose gardens, hiking, and reading the newspaper as well as books on every subject. Her travels took her across the U.S. and abroad to Europe and Australia, where her son Lucas resides.

Throughout her life, she remained deeply devoted to her family, a source of strength and wisdom to all who knew her. Ellen is remembered for her kind heart, sharp intellect, and courage in standing against injustice. Even as Alzheimer’s dementia marked her later years, her dignity and warmth endured, leaving a lasting impression on those around her.

She is survived by her children, Emily Cernusak, Lucas Cernusak, Jessica Jensen and husband Joe Jensen, and Andrea Cernusak; her grandchildren, Amara, Grace, Ivan, Adeline, Haven, and Willow; her former husband, Darryl Cernusak; and her sister, Stephanie Dennis. She was preceded in death by her father (1972) and mother (2009); her sister, Talena Brown (1972); and her brother, Joseph ‘Seppi’ Brown (2004).

Ellen’s ashes will be interred in the family plot at Westwood Cemetery in Plumas County.