Eleanor Rose Jablonow

Eleanor (Elle) Jablonow, 98, of Clayton,, died peacefully, surrounded by her loving family in her home filled with the art and beautiful objects that she treasured. Born in 1927 to Hope and Samuel Komm, Eleanor grew up in Collinsville, Illinois as the eldest of three siblings, the late Millard (Mickey) and her sister Carol, with whom she shared a special lifelong bond. She moved to Clayton during her senior year of high school and made it her home.

After WWII, Eleanor met her beloved husband, the late Louis Jablonow. They married in 1946, beginning a partnership grounded in family, shared values, and commitment to community.

Eleanor was preceded in death by her son, Scott Jablonow. She is survived by her daughter Julie Black (the late Joseph Black), her sister Carol (the late Julian Jablonow), her daughter-in-law Ellen Jablonow, her grandchildren Carrie Jablonow, Matthew (Jennifer) Black, and Kenneth Black, with whom she shared close, loving and generous relationships; and many nieces and nephews.

Eleanor's dedication to the Jewish community and charitable causes was extraordinary. In 1972, she was appointed Women's Chairman for the Jewish Federation-Israel Emergency Fund Campaign, continuing in that vital role when she led a Jewish Federation-United Jewish Appeal Mission delegation to the Old City in Jerusalem. She was elected President of the Jewish Federations Womens Division in 1974 and served as gala chairman of the federations Israel Emergency Fund Campaign's Ambassador Ball in 1977. In 1978 Eleanor was Special Fund Raising Project Chairman for the St Louis Zoo, She remained active with the Jewish Federation, Rainbow Village, the Saint Louis Zoo, and numerous other organizations throughout her life.

After the sale of the family business, Mid-America Theaters in 1984, Eleanor moved to Phoenix, Arizona. She enjoyed tennis, golf, gardening, and the desert landscape. Eleanor took great pride in her home, and cultivated her garden with the same care she extended to the people in her life.

In her later years, Eleanor met physical challenges with resolve and independence. She will be remembered for her warm and gregarious personality, sharp mind, humor, love of art, open-hearted generosity, and devotion to her many close friends and treasured family.