By Nicole Hamilton
Enquirer staff writer

SHARONVILLE - Eileen Britton was widely known in Sharonville. The 57-year resident served eight years on Sharonville City Council, and was the first woman elected to Council after Sharonville became a city.

"She was always willing to help, and was always working. It didn't matter if she was getting a paycheck or not. She did what she could for Sharonville," said her son, Ernie, of Sharonville.

Ms. Britton died Thursday at Hospice of Cincinnati of pancreatic cancer. The Sharonville resident would have celebrated her 68th birthday Sunday.

The Sharonville High School graduate worked for Suburban Press Newspapers in the early 1960s, starting as a reporter covering council meetings. She served as an editor for one year before accepting a position in the district publicity and public relations department for Princeton schools in 1967.

She was in charge of the Princeton Piper, the district's newsletter, and later became the data processing coordinator in charge of student information. She also worked in the district's business office, handling data processing.

Ms. Britton retired from the district in 1998, and went to work in the city of Sharonville's tax office.

She was a presiding judge at a voting precinct for the board of elections for 30 years, and also served for several years as secretary for the Sharonville Youth Organization.

She was a member of Sharonville United Methodist Church, where she served on numerous committees and played hand bells.

Besides her son, Ernie, survivors include two other sons, Raymond and R. Edward, both of Sharonville; a sister, Mary Ellen Webb of Sharonville; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Visitation will be 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday at Sharonville United Methodist Church, 3751 Creek Road. A service will follow at noon at the church.

Burial will be in Rest Haven Cemetery, Blue Ash.

Memorials can be made to the Sharonville United Methodist Church Endowment Fund, 3751 Creek Rd., 45241-2707Hospice of Cincinnati, P.O. Box 633597, Cincinnati, 45263-3597; or the American Heart Association, 2936 Vernon Place, Cincinnati, 45219.