Eleanor Gillman

Eleanor Frances Trainor Gillman, age 100, passed peacefully from this world on December 17, 2024, in Fairfax, Virginia. Eleanor, fondly known to all as Ellie, was born in Butler, PA, to Eleanor “Laura” Rossner and Jacob Waltman on July 8, 1924. At the age of 20, she and a friend hopped a Greyhound bus to Washington, DC, to live life in the big city. There she worked as a stenographer and secretary for the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Army, and the accounting firm Arthur Anderson.

In 1954, she married Lawrence Alloysius Trainor, Jr. in Butler, Pa. They had two beautiful daughters, Patricia and Christine, and traveled the world with the U.S. Air Force, eventually settling down in Springfield, VA.

Ellie’s favorite pastime was baseball, having bravely played on the boys’ team in grade school, much to the boys’ chagrin. She was a huge Washington Nationals fan and could be seen sporting Nats gear year-round. Ellie was extremely active even into her late 90s, frequently golfing, ballroom dancing, hiking, playing cards, and enjoying various book clubs. She also volunteered for the Lamb Center of Fairfax for many years.

Widowed in her late 50s, she met her second husband, Cletus J. Gillman, at a widow/widowers dance. They married in 1989 and resided in Fairfax, VA.

Ellie was preceded in death by her first husband Larry and their daughters Patricia Bishop and Christine Trainor, her second husband Clete, her sister Mary, and her parents. Ellie had a tremendous sense of style, charm, and humor, she always had a smile on her face, and she cherished her time with her extensive family and friends. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, sister, and daughter.

She is survived by her grandchildren Jessica Bishop Brunetto of Leesburg, VA, Justin (Emily) Bishop, of Wilmot, NH, Laura Bishop, of New York City, NY, Jordan Bishop, of Austin, TX, and great-grandchildren Brianna and Jillian Brunetto and Robert, Ellouise, and Ellaina Bishop.

She also is survived by stepchildren Greg Gillman (Ann), of Westerville, OH, Tom Gillman (Cindy), of Williamsburg, VA, Susan Dolloff (Will), of Blacklick, OH, Jim Gillman (Renee), of Littleton, CO, Jennifer Mazzio (Steve), of Covington, GA, and Ann Miller (Chris), of Springfield, VA, as well as many step- grandchildren and great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at the Demaine Funeral Home, 10565 Main Street, Fairfax, VA. Please check this website for the memorial service date to be held in the future. Burial will follow at a future date at Arlington National Cemetery, where her husband Larry is interred. Memorial donations may be made to The Lamb Center (703) 691-3178.

The Bishop and Gillman families wish to extend their sincere thanks to the staff at The Virginian, who took great care of her during her final three years, and the family and friends who visited often.