Eleanor J. Parker

Eleanor Joan Parker (née Miller), 78, of Portsmouth, VA died peacefully in Falls Church, VA on June 17, 2020. Born on January 31, 1942 in Rockaway Beach, NY, she was predeceased by her parents, Edward Miller and Mary Frances (née Bennett) Miller, her sister Mary Blessing (née Miller), and her daughter, Donna Marie Parker. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Captain Robert C. Parker, Jr. (USN, ret.), her son, Robert C. Parker III, and her daughter Colleen P. Vorbach (Joseph). She is also survived by her three grandchildren Leia Parker, Dylan Vorbach, and MaryFrances Vorbach. By the time she graduated from Saint Agnes Seminary High School, Eleanor had already met the midshipman from nearby Kings Point with whom she would build a life and family. Bob and Eleanor were married on November 26, 1960, and their early years together as a Navy couple brought them far from the Long Island bowling alley where they had their first date -- Rhode Island, South Carolina, California, Massachusetts, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; and finally, Portsmouth, Virginia, where they lived for over 40 years. Over the next five decades, Eleanor planted deep roots. As Bobby and Colleen’s doting mother, she was a fixture on the sidelines of their many activities and the mastermind of their celebrations and gatherings. She was a devoted daughter to her mother, Mary Frances Miller, who joined the family in Portsmouth in the later years of her life. From her work at The Famous and as an orthodontic assistant, to her constant volunteer leadership of various ministries at the Church of the Resurrection, she also became the ringleader of a loyal group of friends. With Eleanor at the helm, the Parker household played host to regular dinner parties, teas, luncheons, and prayer groups, complete with an abundance of home-cooked food and seasonal decorations for all occasions. Eleanor’s greatest joy in more recent years came from showering thoughtful and generous love on her three grandchildren. Leia, Dylan, and MaryFrances grew up knowing that a visit with Nana meant an adventure, a feast, and a ceaseless assortment of gifts collected throughout the year. A mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Philip Catholic Church in Falls Church, VA on Tuesday, June 30, at 11 AM [Brief visitation will be held prior to Mass at St. Philip from 10-11 AM]. A private burial will be held at Quantico National Cemetery. Condolences and fond memories may be made at murphyfuneralhomes.com, The family wishes to express its sincere thanks to the staff of Brightview Woodburn Senior Living, who cared for Eleanor with attentive compassion during recent years. In lieu of flowers, donations to the United Services Organization (USO) at uso.org are welcome.