Elinor Joyce Reardon

Elin was born in New Haven, Connecticut, on August 26, 1949 to Basil (1916-2008) and Frances Nickerson (1917-2020), of Nova Scotia, Canada and New Haven.

Growing up, her family camped at the Hammonasset Beach State Park and as a teenager, it was there she met the man she would eventually marry, James (Jimmy) Reardon (1948-2006). The pair carried on a summer romance for years until marrying in 1971 at age 21.

Elin went to Upsala College for math, leaving in her senior year. Math was always her forte, as she worked in insurance for decades, before transitioning to her final job at Stop & Shop, a position she held until her death. She was known for being a hard worker and a woman who never quit.

She read prolifically, mostly mysteries and historical romances. When not reading, she was completing crosswords or puzzles, dabbling in needlepoint.

She despised mornings (grouchy after waking up) and holier-than-thou personas. She was private, stubborn and prideful.

When she played, it was to win, no matter her opponent’s age. Some losses were felt by the whole house, as she slammed cabinet doors.

She bonded over morning meals (loved French toast, hated eggs, coffee black), gossiping with her only daughter.

Elin loved to travel when she was young, gallivanting around Europe, exploring the Caribbean, hiding in the sliver of shade on Floridian and Mexican beaches, while her husband basked.

They went to New York for five-show weekends and hit the drive-in theater when at home. She shared that love of theater with her daughter, surprising her with a birthday trip to see her first musical, Cats, kindling a love of performance.

She was remembered as the cool mom by her daughter’s friends, the one who would drop them off at the amusement park with $5 in quarters or pay for two adjoining hotel rooms for sleepover parties at the Hilton, the one parent who treated them like adults.

After Jimmy Reardon’s death, she moved from Southbury to the cottage in Eastham they bought with her in-laws.

She is survived by her daughter, Courtney, of Providence and partner Wheeler, her sister Beverly, nieces Julia Dostal and Sarah Thorpe and nephew Jeff Dashuta and sister-in-laws Margaret Dashuta and Kathy Reardon-Watson.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jimmy Reardon, and her parents.

Visiting Hours will be held Monday, August 26, 2024 from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM at Nickerson Funeral Home, 77 Eldredge Park Way, Orleans, MA 02653, followed by a Celebration of Life at 3:30 PM.