Ellen Marie Soucie Gormley, age 90, died on Wednesday, July 22, 2009 in Waterford. She was a participator and not a spectator, who faced life with courage and fortitude, saying things are possible and not impossible. She was born on April 21, 1919 in Big Bay, where her father, John Baptiste Soucie, was working at the Henry Ford Lumber camp. Her childhood was spent in Oscoda, where she graduated from the Oscoda High School as valedictorian in 1937. She enrolled in the University of Michigan Nursing School in Ann Arbor, the beginning of a long career in the field of medicine. She worked two years for the university hospital and then accepted a position with the Pontiac State Hospital in Pontiac. There she met and married Peter W. Gormley of Lapeer. She retired as director of nurses and her husband as director of the x-ray department. At the age of 56 she returned to college, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree and a master's in counseling at Oakland University in Rochester. She received the Distinguished Alumni Award for outstanding performance after only one year as a member of the alumni board, prior to which it had been given only to those serving several years. She also served on the Pontiac Symphony Board, taught adult education, did volunteer work at the hospital and was a grief counselor at a funeral home in Waterford. Oil painting made use of her artistic talent. She enjoyed helping others and kept in touch with family members, helping to keep them together. She learned to fly in the event her pilot husband had medical problems. She also loved golf and played into her 80s. She was a true participator in life. Her parents, John Baptiste and Ada M. Soucie, preceded her in death. Her husband of 62 years, Peter W. Gormley, preceded her in June 2001. A brother, Lloyd L. Soucie, preceded her in June 2003. She is survived by her son, Michael P. (Connie) Gormley of Jackson; two brothers, John E. Soucie of North Carolina and Clyde L. (Faith) Soucie of Oscoda; a sister, Vera Olver of The Villages in Florida; a grandson, Stephen (Doreen) Gormley of Waterford; two great granddaughters, Alexis and Olivia Gormley of Waterford; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She will be deeply missed but the family knows she is now in the care of the angels and, perhaps, is helping them mend a feather or two. The funeral service was held Saturday, July 25, at the Blackburn Chapel-Martin Funeral Home in North Branch. Interment will be at the North Branch Cemetery.