Eleanor Marie Plachta

Born November 22, 1921 in Athol, Mass., she was the daughter of the late Peter Vareika and Valeria Vareika Mikutaitis. She was preceded in death by husband Chester Plachta and one brother, Donald Vareika.

Mrs. Plachta was a member of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, Salisbury, and a former volunteer at the West Side Fire Department, Bivalve.

She is survived by one son, Walter Plachta and wife Beverly Plachta of Nanticoke; three daughters, Cynthia Stacy and husband Marshall Stacy, of Swanton, Md., Nance Plachta, of Austell, Ga., and Dorothy Davis and husband James Davis, of Elizabeth City, N.C.; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

With a unique sense of personal style, she favored well-tailored classic clothes and was well recognized for her elegant fedoras. She enjoyed entertaining and was an ardent fan of playing games – from cards with neighborhood ladies to party and board games with her family.

A long-time volunteer for several non-profit organizations in Oakland, Mrs. Plachta was a founder of “The Treasure Chest,” a specialty gift and variety shop for the residents of the Garrett County Lighthouse. She also served as merchandise buyer and sales clerk for a gift shop inside Garrett Memorial Hospital (now Garrett Regional Medical Center). As a volunteer for the non-profit Garrett Lakes Arts Festival, she worked on its annual gala fundraisers. She also was a member of the Oakland Civic Club, for which she volunteered time for the club’s annual Autumn Glory Antiques Show & Sale.

In Adelphi, where she and her husband raised their family, Mrs. Plachta was a popular neighborhood organizer of Halloween parades, “penny” carnivals and croquet matches – frequently held on the family’s front lawn.

After her retirement as Facilities Coordinator from University of Maryland University College, she enjoyed traveling to Europe, the Caribbean Islands and in 2014, treated her children and their spouses to a week-long cruise to coastal Maine.

She graduated from Athol High School and also was awarded honorary membership in the Syracuse University Alumni Association, to which her late husband belonged.

There will be a Celebration of Life gathering for Eleanor on Saturday, May 18, 2019 from 1-3 p.m. at the St. Mary's Hall , 21674 Nanticoke Road, Tyaskin, MD.

In honor of her love of hats, we ask that those wishing to, to wear a fun hat. In honor of Lithuanian background, Eastern European refreshments will be served. All are welcome.

Inurnment will be at Baltimore National Cemetery with her husband – until we meet again. A memorial reception will be held at a later date in Nanticoke.In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to the West Side Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 85 Bivalve, MD 21814