Eleanor Pauline Fantry

Eleanor Pauline Buckner arrived on December 13, 1922, to William Mattison and Inez Buckner. She was welcomed to their 122 N.E. 24th Street home in Miami, Florida by her three sisters: Lurline, Margaret and Mary and their brother Buck. Two more siblings, Jewell and Richard, were born at the same address in the years that followed. This was the Buckner home that was filled with love, laughter and high jinks until it was sold by their mother after the death of their father.

Eleanor met a handsome yankee, George Fantry, at a USO dance on Miami Beach in 1942. Against all odds, she broke up with her Georgia finance, infuriated her father and married George in 1943. When George shipped out overseas during WWII, Eleanor expecting her first child, moved back to Miami to live with her parents in her childhood home. Their first daughter, Bonnie Lurline, arrived October 11, 1944, while George was overseas. She was fifteen months old before father and daughter first met.

In 1947, Eleanor and George bought their home in Miami Springs. Their second daughter, Susan Frances, arrived on January 24th, 1953. Their family was complete with the arrival of their son, Steven George, on January 26th 1956. The days in the house were busy as they raised these children with lots of love. Eleanor and George worked hard to support their family, and it was Eleanor who always went the extra mile in every way. George passed away at 53 in 1973, but at 50 resilient Eleanor was able to carry on for her family in spite of her loss.

Eleanor continued to live in Miami Springs until 2001 when she moved to Cooper City. A condo in Baffy Woods became her new home and she loved it . She died there on July 17th , 2019, happy that she was in her home.

Wherever Eleanor lived family remained the most important part of her life. The seed that was planted in the Buckner family flourished with Eleanor's loving care in the Fantry family. She always had time and a place for brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews and of course, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She had that knack of making everyone feel "They" were her "Favorite".

Eleanor answered to many names: Eleanor, Mrs. Fantry, Aunt Eleanor, Ellie, Mother, Mom, but I think her favorite was Mimi ! Not only was that the magical name used by grandchildren and great-grandchildren, but in-laws, friends and mere acquaintances soon called her by that beloved name. Always with a smile, a kind word or a joke she was ready to be a good friend, a great aunt or super Mimi to all. But most of all, to us, she was a perfect and loving mother.

Eleanor Pauline is preceded in death by: (Parents) William Mattison Buckner and Inez Bonner Buckner, (Husband) George Francis Fantry, (Son) Stephen George Fantry Sr., (Brothers) William Bonner Buckner and Richard Buckner, (Sisters) Lurline Dasher, Margaret Law, Mary Moye and Jewell Shepard.

She is survived by: (Daughters) Bonnie (Peter) Vadas, Susan (Charles-deceased) Hortwick, (Daughter-In-Law) Alina Fantry, (Grandsons) Steven George Fantry Jr. and Christopher Fantry, (Granddaughters) Suzanne Valdivia, Hilary (Chris) DeArmon , Charlyn Dail, Carrie (Shawn) Maas, (Great-Grandsons) Michael Valdivia, John DeArmon and Colton Dail, (Great-Granddaughters) Ashley (Garrett) Gignac, Katie DeArmon, Mackenzie Dail, Lauren Maas and Rylen Maas.