Eleanor T. Lewis

Ellie (as her family called her) was born in Danbury on Memorial Day, May 30th, a daughter of the late Anthony and Concetta Gigliotti Tomanio.

She graduated from St. Peter School, Danbury High School (where she was very active in class affairs, especially the marching band) and St. Vincent Hospital School of Nursing in Bridgeport, CT.

Ellie was a 36 year employee of the Danbury Board of Education and a longtime activist in the Democratic Party in Danbury.

She was a licensed Registered Nurse and served as a school nurse at Danbury High School for 36 years, retiring in 1997. She was also employed at St. Vincent Hospital and Danbury Hospital as Head Nurse in Pediatrics and the New Born Nursery. She also worked as an office nurse for Dr. Edward Sokolski before being hired as a school nurse.

Ellie was a member of St. Peter Church in Danbury (a past choir member under Mr. William Connors). Also a past member of St. Vincent Hospital Alumni Association, The Association of School Nurses of CT, the Danbury School Nurses Association (serving as its President for over 25 years). She was an American Red Cross Disaster Nurse and a trained Emergency Medical Technician.

Ellie was extremely active in community affairs serving as a member of the Danbury Youth Commission and of the City Civil Service Commission. She was a Special Police Officer and a Justice of the Peace (retiring in 2009).

Active in Democratic politics, Ellie was a past-President of the Democratic Women’s Club and the Danbury Democrats.

Ellie was a long-time member of the Danbury Democratic Town Committee serving as Vice Chair for over 30 years, retiring from the position to serve as Vice- Chair Emeritus in 2010. She served as secretary of this committee for 4 years before her Vice-Chair position. She also served as a delegate to many local and state conventions.

Ellie served on and helped organize many political campaigns and served as campaign coordinator for Mayors Gene Eriquez and James Dyer. She also was the campaign manager for Reps. Paul Garavel and Robert Godfrey as well as Probate Court Judge Robert Talarico.

In 1982 she was awarded the Democrat of the Year Award by them Governor William O’Neill.

Ellie is survived by many loving cousins, many second cousins that she is very close to and Godchildren. Her cat Missy was so very close to her heart. She also leaves many dear and cherished friends.

She will be remembered for her love of the NY Yankees and the UCONN Women’s Basketball Team. Ellie was an avid reader, loved playing the piano and truly enjoyed helping and giving to others.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30am on Tuesday, March 22, 2016 with the Rev. Gregg Mecca, Pastor, officiating. Interment will follow in St. Peter Cemetery, Danbury.There are no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the Danbury Animal Welfare Society (D.A.W.S.), 147 Grassy Plain St., Bethel, CT 06801 or to St. Peter Church, 104 Main St., Danbury, CT 06810.