Eleanor P. Whitehead

With faith and family as the cornerstones of her life, nothing brought her more joy than raising her four children with her college sweetheart, the love of her life, Jim. She always knew what was going on with each of them and loved and supported them through life’s many milestones. Eleanor was blessed with the gift of educating young children. She was an amazing teacher that taught not only academics but also the beautiful Catholic faith to countless students at St. Theresa School. Eleanor lived her entire life with a servant’s heart always reflecting God’s love to those around her. She set an example of service and charity throughout her life, a legacy that she passed down to both her children and grandchildren. Eleanor’s spaghetti and apple sauce were her grandkids favorites. When not in the classroom or running kids around she enjoyed God’s creation and would never miss a chance to be out in nature. She especially loved the many lake vacations with family. She was an avid gardener and enjoyed growing many beautiful varieties of flowers and vegetables with her husband Jim. She also enjoyed watching birds and reading every romance novel ever written by Nora Roberts.

Eleanor was born into eternal life on the 17th of July 2022. She passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones after a courageous battle with cancer that was fought with grace and strength. She will be missed tremendously by so many.

Eleanor was the beloved wife of James Joseph Whitehead; loving mother of Carrie (Steve) Perry, Mary-Margaret (Marios) Sinapoglou, Tim (Jennifer) Whitehead and Kathleen (Jeff) Skallerup; cherished grandmother of Amber (Blayne) Honanie, Kayla (Austin) Hulme, Matthew (Bianca) Perry, Samuel Perry, Aidan Murphy, Aaron Sinapoglou, Liam Sinapoglou, Avery Whitehead, Dylan Whitehead, Ella Whitehead, Gavin Whitehead, Riley Skallerup and Emmett Skallerup; great-grandmother of Sophia, Olivia, Amelia, Hans, Hazel and Jaqson; dear sister of Bart (Bonnie) Shanley, Carol Ann (late Doug) Rothery and Susan (Bob) Davis and fond aunt of many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Friday, July 22, 2022 from 4-8 PM at Lauterburg & Oehler Funeral Home, 2000 E. Northwest Highway, Arlington Heights. Family and friends will gather on Saturday, July 23 at 9:45 AM at St. James Church, 831 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights for a Funeral Mass at 10:00 AM.

Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org) appreciated.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.lauterburgoehler.com for the Whitehead family.