Eleanor Perry

Eleanor was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. to Thomas and Mary (Martin) Kelleher on February 28, 1921. She was orphaned at the age of 3 and was raised by Catholic nuns at the Angel Guardian Home Orphanage in Brooklyn with her sisters, Elizabeth and Lillian.

Eleanor graduated with honors from John Adams High School in Brooklyn in 1938. She was married to Lawrence Perry on September 27, 1941. Together they raised 9 children moving from Brooklyn to upstate New York, and keeping residence in Walton and Delhi.

Eleanor, in addition to being full-time mother to nine children, was employed for several years as secretary to the Registrar of SUNY Delhi. Eleanor was always interested in holding out a helping hand to those in need. She started the “Open Door” in Delhi where the needy could obtain free clothing, and served as President of the Board of Directors for Delaware Opportunities, a not-for-profit agency offering a variety of services for those in need.

Eleanor was predeceased by her second child Thomas; her two sisters, Elizabeth and Lillian; her grandchildren, Tammy Mills and Anthony Carnahan, as well as her husband of 64 years, Lawrence.

Eleanor is survived by her children, Lawrence Jr.(Marilyn) Perry of Washington, DC, Paul (Patricia) Perry of Ballston Lake, N.Y., Stephen (Karen) Perry of Spring Hill FL, Ellen (Billy) Hewlett of Oneonta, Marianne (Jeff) Johansen of Unadilla, Michael (Sara) Perry of Oneonta, Andrew (Roseann) Perry of Trout Creek, and Katie (Jon) Jager of Oneonta.

Eleanor is also survived by several grandchildren and great grandchildren.

A funeral mass will be offered at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, November 20, 2012 at Sacred Heart Church in Sidney with the Rev. Gordon Polenz, officiating. Burial will be in the Walton Cemetery following the mass.

Friends are invited to call at the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, 14 Grand Street, Oneonta, on Monday, November 19, 2012 from 5 to 7 at which time the family will be in attendance.

The family wishes to thank Catskill Area Hospice for the opportunity to keep Eleanor at home during her final days, and would appreciate, in lieu of flowers (which make Eleanor sneeze), memorial contributions to the Catskill Area Hospice, 1 Birchwood Dr., Oneonta, NY 13820

Condolences to the family may be made online by visiting our website at www.grummonsfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are by the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, Oneonta.