Eleanor Sloan was my therapist for 10 years. She got me through the most difficult time of my life. I am in another difficult time and was hoping she was still here to help me again. Looking for her is how I found news of her passing. I’m sorry she’s not here to help me again but more importantly, I am sorry she is gone,gone from everyone who loved her as family and as a friend. My heart goes out to you all! What you’ve lost is immeasurable. Your memories will be your strength. As for me, I will miss her on a different level and that will have to sustain me. I hope to find the strength again that she gave me once before.

When I walked into Ashborn School in 1967 for a job interview, I had no idea how my life would change. Eleanor interviewed me and quickly persuaded the school's director to hire me. Eleanor has been a model for my life and my dear friend for over 50 years. The bond we shared was timeless; even when we were apart for long periods, we could pick up our conversations as if we had seen each other just yesterday.     
Cooking and food were a large part of our relationship. I cherish memories of interesting and enlightening conversations around tables, Thanksgiving feasts, reading newspapers around the picnic table, searching through cookbooks, experimenting with Negronis, and indulging in delicious meals. I fondly remember the times, cooking with Heather, while Eleanor sat or leaned on the other side of the counter, talking with us and taking little pinches of food—she didn’t eat much, but she relished those "pinches," especially the wonderful doughnuts on Cape Cod, 
Eleanor schooled me in politics; her vast knowledge and steel-trap memory put much of the world in perspective. Her dedication to social justice deeply influenced my life. I admired her unwavering commitment to her children and grandchildren, which in turn shaped how I relate to my own family. Eleanor opened my eyes and expanded my awareness of the world in countless ways. Through her, I learned how to be a stronger and better human being, teacher, therapist, and friend.
Eleanor’s presence in my life was a gift I will always treasure. Every day, I am aware of how she contributed to my life, and the love and connection we shared have affected me profoundly. Though she is no longer here, her legacy will live on through the lives she touched and the love she shared. Thank you, Eleanor, for being my mentor, my friend, and a shining light in my life. You will be missed.

I cared for Eleanor prior to her final days here. I loved her, and we laughed together. She was the kind of person I would want to have as a dear friend. I will always remember her humor, insight, kindness, and presence.

I can only imagine, Heather, your heavy heart with the loss of your Mom…My thoughts are with you.  It was a true pleasure to care for Eleanor during her last chapter of life. 
May she rest in peace, knowing how much her daughter adored her.

I knew Eleanor for over 30 years. I first went to see her after a divorce, and have been in touch with her almost up until the last days. She was a lovely caring person who helped me through some of the roughest times of my life. For that I shall never forget her and I hope her memory is a Blessing to all who knew her.

Remembering my friend Eleanor Sloan
I first met Eleanorin 1994 having been recommended to see her by a friend.
I immediatetyfelt comfortable with her and decided to stay and chat awhile.
Here we are thirty years Later and I'm having trouble saying a few things about her,
because there are too many things to say. Eteanor was one of the kindest, most inteLLigent, caring people that I've been fortunate enough to have come into my Life.
I think my thoughts are best expressed by a Jewish prayer of Remembrance:
IN THE RISING of the sun, and in its going down, we remember them. From the momentlwake tilil fali asieep, air thatldo is remember them.
In the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter, we remember them.
On the frigid days of winter and the momentslbreathe the coid air, Iwarm myseif with their embrace, and remember them.
In the opening of buds and in the rebirth of spring, we remember them.
As the days grow ionger and the outside becomes warmer jam more awake andlremember
In the blueness of the sky and in the warmth of summer, we remember them.
Whenllook above and see the images of the clouds and whenlam comforted by the sun that shines down on me, Iremember them.
In the rustling of the Leaves and in the beauty of autumn, we remember them.
From the time in whichl fee/ the cool, crisp breeze and see the colors of the leaves, Iremember them.
In the beginning of the year and when it ends, we remember them.
On the daylmake resoiutions for myself and on the daylreflect upon how I've grown,lremember them.
them.
we are weary and in need of strength, we remember them.
faced with chalienges that enter my iife, Iremember all that they taught me, and remember
When Aslam them.
When When
When
From those times of celebration, iove, and happiness,lremember them.
So long as they live, we, too, shall live, for they are now a part of us, as we remember On every day, and in every way, Iknow that they are with me andlremember them.
we are lost and sick at heart, we remember them

I had heard about Eleanor Sloan before I met her— from her daughter, Lisa and her good friend, Dr. Miriam Elmaleh. They told stories of Eleanor’s wisdom shared in a disarmingly straightforward, no-nonsense manner; her dedication to the well-being of children; her voracious reading evidenced by floor-to-ceiling book shelves with no room for even one more book; her love of movies and ability to remember dialogue; her delicious cooking without the need to consult a cookbook; and her impeccable style. I finally met Eleanor in my early twenties fully expecting to be intimidated and unable to form a coherent sentence. I was in my early twenties, and had very recently lost my mother. All of the stories that I had heard about Eleanor were true, but instead of being intimidated by her enormous brilliance and accomplishments, I was immediately at ease and welcomed into a warm and compassionate embrace. Seeing the grief that I was struggling with at that moment in my life, Eleanor surprised me by telling me— well, in fact, commanding me, to meet her on the Ogontz Jr. High School track the next morning. What, I thought— she’s an athlete too? What Eleanor taught me on that track, and what became a life-long habit, was to move. Move forward every day, even if it’s only a few steps, a quarter mile— just keep moving. And so with every step that I take I will remember Eleanor Sloan, and that compassionate embrace she extended to everyone she met.

I met Eleanor when I was 25, in 1993. My father said he’d found a career counselor for me; she’d been referred to him by a lovely woman named Joy.
He felt, since I’d chosen to be an actor, a career counselor was greatly needed: someone to make me see reason, and to choose more sensibly.
My father would not have sent me to a therapist, but, in error, had given me the greatest gift he’s ever given me. 
Eleanor never once counseled me away from acting, but she did help me to heal, and to move forward, and to do better. I saw her off and on for 26 years. She was my second mother, my friend, and mentor, and her mind, her humor, and her generosity will never be forgotten.
I could not be more grateful to have known her. My deepest condolences to Heather and to Charlie, whom I’ve met, and to Joshua, his wife, and their children, whom I’ve never met, about all of whom Eleanor spoke, with love and pride, for many years. Thank you for sharing her. 
She literally saved me. I don’t know where I’d have ended up without her. I love her forever.
Wendi Grantham

I met Eleanor decades ago, when Heather and I were college roommates. Loved her from the moment we met -- this very short lady with a gleam in her eye, a no-nonsense approach, and a remarkable sense of humor. Over the years, I always loved seeing her, whether in Los Angeles (where Heather and I were once again roommates), Philadelphia (in that big old Lincoln Drive house where she'd eventually disappear into her study to talk sense into someone), and especially at the Cape where she always seemed relaxed and utterly happy. She was a joy to be around: so smart, so perceptive, so absolutely incredibly funny (that infectious wheezing laugh!), so attuned to whatever was happening around her. Eleanor didn't know this (and I don't think Heather does either) but she was always something of a mother figure to me. She dispensed wisdom and compassion when needed, sent you into fits of laughter when it was really needed, and barked common sense at you when really, REALLY needed! She was so devoted to her children and grandchildren (although I'm sure a lot of common sense was dispensed there also!), and her humor and compassion are evident in all of them. The world is not as bright without Eleanor Sloan in it, but I -- and so many others, I know -- are so grateful to have been in her orbit over the years. God bless you!

Dear Heather,
dear Charlie
dear Joshua and family

I think it was in September more than 30 years ago that Eleanor and Lisa welcomed me as a guest in their home. Many visits and encounters followed, in New York and on the Cape. How impressed I was and still am by Eleanor s wit and humour, her generosity and curiosity. With wisdom, kindness and a sharp mind she told the most hilarious stories, painting  a picture of a life well lived but also with a tremendous amount of pain and hardship, that always comes with it. Yes, she is a person one would always want to know to be around for good. And perhaps that is what we shall remember and carry on with us - the urge to understand, to remain curious but always apply common sense and humour to whatever life will bring to us. I know, it is a tremendous loss. Though Elanor passed having lived to a blessed age it was her telling me when her own Mother had passed away with nearly 100 years - that it is so painful, because " we had her so long". I feel immensely grateful to have met her and that I had the honour to be a guest in her houses. I will cherish her memory and will light a candle, no three candles, here in berlin, Germany, on the day of her funeral. 

My very best to you all, Martin

OBITUARY

Eleanor C. Sloan

16 July, 1927 – 15 September, 2024

Nickerson Funeral Home

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