Ellen E. Burns was born on October 24, 1899 in Pennsylvania. She is found in the 1900 Federal Census of Johnstown, Cambria County, Pennsylvania, with her parents, Arthur and Bridget (Kelly) Burns, as well as her siblings, Daniel, James, Rosa, and Arthur. A sister, Bridget C., was born in March 1901.

Ellen's mother died in October 1901. Her father died in 1915.

Ellen Burns, a Department Store Sales Lady, is found in the 1920 census living with her brother, Daniel T. Burns, in Johnstown. Daniel's daughters, Hester A. and Bridget E., graduated from the St. Francis School of Nursing in 1936 and 1939, respectively.

Following her nursing school graduation, Ellen went to New York. There, she married Anthony Adam Schleicher, born in 1897 in Rochester, New York. The marriage took place in Richmond County, New York on June 15, 1932.

In the 1940 census of Kings County, New York, Ellen is listed as "Helen" E., age 40, a Registered Nurse. Her husband, Anthony Schleicher, 42, was a messenger for a security and bonds house.

Ellen E. Burns Schleicher died on July 17, 1955. She is interred at Long Island National Cemetery, Farmingdale, New York. Her husband, Anthony, who died in 1975, was a Navy Veteran of World War I and he is also buried there.