Eleanor June Grisé

She was born in Springfield, Massachusetts on June 11, 1923 to Herman T. and Georgia Bell (Rose) Henning. Eleanor was the last of seven children to be born, and is the final of her three brothers and three sisters to pass. She graduated from Commerce High School in Springfield. For more than 30 years, Eleanor resided in Greenfield, MA where she worked intermittently while raising her two children, Dr. Philip Grisé Jr. of Tallahassee, Florida and Cynthia June ”Dixie” Neilson of Gainesville, Florida. Eleanor served as a school secretary in the Greenfield (MA) Public School System in the mid-1970’s, working with elementary school principals for many years. She retired to Tallahassee, Florida in the mid-1980s. Her hobbies included travel, gardening, reading, knitting, and daily crossword puzzles. She was a people-person who loved to entertain and enjoyed her many friends and family members. Eleanor was a volunteer in U.S. Senator Bob Graham’s office, compiling and producing a scrapbook of his political history. She also worked as an administrative assistant for the Florida CLAST examination for several years. In addition, she had been a member of garden clubs in Tallahassee, served as a volunteer at Goodwood Plantation and St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, and was a member of the Margi Mixon Thursday Morning Book Club. She remained active until her unexpected death. Her greatest joy in life was spending time with her family and many friends.

She leaves behind her son and daughter, and their respective spouses Patricia Chornyak Grisé and Peter Neilson. Grandchildren Amee Grisé of Tampa; Adam Grisé of Washington, D.C.; Katherine Rose Phillips of Tallahassee, and Andrew Neilson of Gainesville, and five great grandchildren, Robbie Kirsh, Kieran Neilson, Devin Neilson, Connor Neilson, Brigit Neilson, as well as nephews Dr. David Cowles of Venice, FL and Robert Chapin of Oldsmar, FL, William Henning of Deep River, CT, and nieces Carol Henning Forbes of Ormond Beach, FL, Judy Bombaci of Essex, CT , and Shirley Henning of Indianapolis, IN,

A Memorial Service will be at held Thursday February 17th at 3:30p.m. at Saint Paul’s United Methodist Church, Tallahassee. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Elder Care Services, 2518 West Tennessee St., Tallahassee, FL 32304, or to an organization of your choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home, Tallahassee, FL.