Eleanor Riepe Anders

ANDERS-WORKMAN, Eleanor T. Riepe, of Richmond, Virginia died peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Thursday, August 7, 2014. The first child and daughter of Joseph Creighton Riepe, Jr. of Baltimore, Maryland and Florence Eloise Daniel of Rome, Georgia, Eleanor was born January 4, 1945 in Richmond, Virginia and raised on Arcadia Farm in Charlotte Court House, Virginia.

Eleanor was predeceased by her grandparents John Hannah Daniel and Eloise Burney Daniel, and Joseph Creighton Riepe, Sr. and Eleanor Thomas Stump, her father Joseph Creighton Riepe, Jr., and her brother Joseph Creighton Riepe III. Survived by her husband, Burris A Workman; her daughter, Allison Daniel Anders; her son, John Creighton Anders; her daughter-in-law, Alison Higgs Anders; her grandchildren, Emma Daniel Anders and George Fredrick Anders; her mother, Florence Daniel Riepe Kalbacker; her sister, Jacquelyn Riepe Hill; brother-in-law, Hunter Roland Hill; sister-in-law, Sandy Johnson Riepe, and loving nieces and nephews.

Eleanor graduated with a B.A. in English from Queens University in Charlotte, North Carolina in 1966 and from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Masters in Interdisciplinary Studies in 1988. She worked for 19 years at Lawyer’s Title/Land America before transitioning to her second career as a Licensed Professional Counselor. Long before she was a mental health therapist, Eleanor kept an open door, always welcoming family and friends to her table with a fresh pot of black coffee, a warm hug, and an open heart. A fierce ally and loving protector, Eleanor offered exuberant support and love to those who knew her. Her bright company and sparkling laugh lifted up many souls. As a mother she was always ready with an encouraging cheer from the sidelines, unconditional support, and unwavering love. The grace and determination she personified in her fight against pancreatic cancer awed family, friends, and doctors alike. Eleanor was an avid reader and loved to travel as much as she loved to come home.

Family and friends will celebrate her life at 10:00a.m. Saturday, August 16, 2014 at The Gayton Kirk Presbyterian Church, 11421 Gayton Road, Henrico. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Bon Secours Cancer Institute, the Central Virginia Food Bank, or The Gayton Kirk Presbyterian Church Memorial Garden. Condolences may be offered at woodyfuneralhomeparham.com.