Eleanor Folk Canter

Eleanor Folk Canter died after a brief illness on Tuesday, July 24, 2018. She was the daughter of Ernest Linwood Folk, Jr. and Eleanor Camper Folk and was born on March 31, 1923 in Suffolk, VA. She spent most of her youth in Salem, VA and graduated from Andrew Lewis High School in 1939. She graduated from Longwood College in 1943 and was a member of the Tri Sigma sorority. Eleanor Canter completed a M. Ed. at James Madison University in 1982.

After her graduation from Longwood, Eleanor had a brief stint working with the YWCA; and then she began teaching elementary school. She met Noland MacKenzie Canter, Jr. in Ashland, VA, and they were married on June 21, 1947. Following Mac’s military service and completion of his radiology residency, they moved to Harrisonburg in August 1952. Mac began to practice radiology at Rockingham Memorial Hospital, and Eleanor began a busy life raising their family. Eleanor has been part of the Sunnyside Community since 1997.

Eleanor was active in community and church activities throughout her long life. Some of the many organizations with which she served as a volunteer were Girl Scouts, the RMH Auxiliary, American Cancer Society, and Fort Harrison. She was an active member of the American Association of University Women and League of Women Voters and served for many years as a registrar for local elections. She was also an adult literacy tutor. Active for many years with Asbury United Methodist Church, she then joined First Presbyterian Church, where she also took an active role. Eleanor enjoyed sewing, crafts, and needlework, and was an accomplished quilter.

Eleanor Canter always put her husband and children first. She is survived by her three children, Noland MacKenzie Canter, III and wife, Rhoda W. Canter; Jane Canter Francis, and husband David S. Francis; Ann Canter Nickels and husband, The Reverend William W. Nickels, III; six grandchildren, Mary W. Canter, Eleanor B. Canter, and husband Andrew H. Erwin; Spencer M. Francis, and wife Kirsten D. Francis; Lee K. Francis, and wife, Katherine R. Francis; W. Laird Nickels, and wife, Jenna F. Nickels; and Neale C. Nickels, and wife Courtney R. Nickels; and eight great-grandchildren, Lane Margaret Francis, Nora Mackenzie Francis, Adry Virginia Francis, Skylar Rose Francis, Niall Hall Francis, Harper MacKenzie Nickels; Emmet Fleet Nickels, and Noland Harrison Canter-Erwin.

On Saturday, July 28, a private graveside ceremony will be held at Woodbine Cemetery. A memorial service will be held for Eleanor Canter at the Meredith Chapel at Sunnyside at 2:00 with a reception with light refreshments following in the narthex. The Reverend William W. Nickels, III and The Reverend Dr. William J. Lowrance will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Sunnyside Fellowship Fund, 600 University Blvd., Harrisonburg, VA 22801; Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, P. O. Box 937, Verona, VA 24482; or Rockingham-Harrisonburg SPCA, P. O. Box 413, Harrisonburg, VA 22801.

Arrangements are by Lindsey Funeral Home, Harrisonburg. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.lindseyharrisonburg.com.