Hermine Emma Broughton, fondly known as “Em” and “Emmie,” died Thursday, Oct. 30, 2014, at Carolina Shores. She was 80.
Em was born and grew up in Baltimore, a daughter of the late Erwin and Helene Ella Zirkler. She graduated from Western High School and Goucher College in Baltimore. Em taught English at Denver Lutheran High School in Colorado and Orange County Lutheran High School in California where she was selected as Teacher of the Year.
She had a love for all her students and a heart to teach. She enjoyed writing Christmas and Bible School programs for children in her church. She also enjoyed Bible studies, book clubs and Red Hat Ladies. Em was a member of Saint Luke Lutheran Church, Ocean Isle Beach.
Surviving are her husband, Herb Broughton; her sons, Randolph Ruff (Deborah), of Oak Park, Illinois, Jeffrey Ruff (Lisa), of Steamboat Springs, Colorado and Bryan Ruff, of San Joes, California; stepson, Carvil Lewis Broughton, of Goodyear, Arizona; stepdaughter, Gail Gilstrap, of Beaverdam, Virginia; four grandchildren; and sisters, Janet Haack (Paul) and Linda Pritchett (Tom), of Annapolis, Maryland.
A memorial service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014, at St. Luke Lutheran Church.
Family requests in lieu of flowers memorials be directed to Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401 or Saint Luke Lutheran Church Preschool, 5869 Ocean Hwy W., Ocean Isle Beach, NC 28469.
Private online condolences may be sent to the family at www.brunswickfuneralservice.com.
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