Eleanor Connor Ricards

Eleanor Connor Ricards passed away on March 6, 2013. Her family and friends can take comfort in that Eleanor had just returned home from a party when she suffered a stroke. Sadly, her death comes only 6 months after that of her husband of almost 69 years, Harold A. “Ric” Ricards, Jr. They both lived a rich and full life with many blessings. Eleanor was 93 years old and born in Baltimore, MD on September 11, 1919 to William A. Connor and Eleanor Hermle Connor. Eleanor was a devoted Wife and partner, a loving Mother and Grandmother, and a loyal friend.

Eleanor graduated from Baltimore Friends School in 1937. She was a bright student and excellent athlete. Ellie was an accomplished swimmer, having spent her summers at the family home on the Magothy River at the Chesapeake. While competing in a school declamation contest in 1934, Eleanor (who placed 3rd) met fellow student and future husband Harold (who won 1st place).

In 1941, Eleanor graduated from Goucher College with an English degree. She was elected president of her junior and senior classes and a member of the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority. She has been a lifetime supporter and an officer of Goucher Alumnae Associations in Northern NJ, Memphis, TN, and Houston, TX. In 1990 and 2011 she received the Outstanding Alumnae Service Award. For the past 72 years Eleanor loved attending and hosting alumnae sorority functions.

Eleanor's first job was at Hoschild Kohn Dept Store in Baltimore organizing ladies fashion shows. During WWII she was employed by the US Army and was stationed in Washington, DC with a P-47 fighter squadron. She left the military to marry her long-time love on Christmas Day, 1943. Ric worked on a secret military project to develop the M-69 incendiary bomb, while Eleanor rolled bandages on her honeymoon.

After the war, Ric was employed by Esso/Exxon and they moved to Westfield, NJ where daughters Andrea and Nancy were born. Soon PTA, the Westfield Service League, gardening, pets and family activities began. Summer vacations were spent with her mother at the Magothy and Ocean Beach, NJ. The family acquired their first of many dogs. Eleanor continued to be a true animal lover and supporter through the remainder of her life.

In 1961 the Ricards family was transferred to Houston and Eleanor was busy with the kids, the Houston Symphony, as a Brownie Scout troop leader and active in the First Congregational Church. The family began their major activity of showing Quarter horses, with Eleanor, “Chief Groom”, behind the wheel traveling thousands of miles to horse shows in 14 states.

Moving to Memphis, TN in 1968, Eleanor was an officer of the Memphis Symphony League, a substitute teacher, a representative for a business that imported Mexican cotton dresses that clothed several Maids of Cotton, and supported Nancy's increased horse travels on a national level.

They returned in 1984 to their Houston home where Eleanor again became active in the Houston Symphony League, the Museum of Fine Arts Guild, Friendship Force International, the English Speaking Union, and the Houston Zoo Guild. She devoted time to church activities, the Pilgrim Festival, and served as the historian and publicity chair.

Eleanor was devoted to her family, friends, and pets. She excelled as a Grandmother, supporting her two grandsons' school projects with her own personal stories and experiences. She loved her garden and her antique-filled home. Eleanor absolutely loved attending and giving parties. Eleanor taught her daughters to pour tea at an early age – and the value of a hand-written thank you note. She was a strong, energetic woman who supported a multitude of causes. As an inquisitive woman who read the newspaper from cover to cover, she wrote her legislators regularly, and believed in giving back. Travel was a focal point in their lives, visiting 6 continents and 25 countries, with extensive stays in England and 10 summers in Maine. They often included their daughters and sons-in-law on special trips to celebrate special occasions. Eleanor made memories for her grandsons by treating them to baseball trips and Disney cruises. As sports fans, Eleanor and Ric attended 4 Olympics, 3 Wimbledons, and 2 British Opens. They enjoyed playing golf together throughout their travels.

Eleanor will be sorely missed by her family and friends. She is survived by daughters Andrea Ricards Lapsley and husband Bob Lapsley; Nancy Ricards Primeaux and husband Robert Primeaux; her grandsons Matthew Primeaux and fiance Emily Lauck and Michael Primeaux and wife Anna Primeaux, sisters-in-law Gretchen and Nan Connor, and her dalmatian Gidgit.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Friday, March 15, 2013 at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, 13001 Katy Freeway. Her Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 16 at the First Congregational Church, 10840 Beinhorn Road in Houston.

With her lifelong love of her dogs, cats, and horses and her inclination to contribute to every “Save the Animal of your choice - whales, donkeys, etc”, Eleanor has requested that in lieu of flowers and in her memory, donations be made to the animal charity of your choice.