BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT- Eleanor M. Hartshorn, 88, formerly of Lancaster, passed peacefully from her life on Saturday, November 10, 2007, at Bristol Hospital in Bristol, CT.
Mrs. Hartshorn was born in Berlin, NH on October 15, 1921; she was the only child of Cleveland and Margaret McGivney.
She attended Berlin schools and was a 1943 graduate of Plymouth Teachers College, as it was then known. She briefly taught in Hanover, NH, where a guest speaker in one of her classes was the poet, Robert Frost. Following her marriage to Harold Hartshorn in 1946, she moved to Lancaster, where she raised a family, taught for many years in the Lancaster School system, and led a life enriched by a multitude of dear, lifelong friends. Long after her retirement, she continued to receive cards and letters from many of her former students, who put to good use the lessons she taught them about English and about life.
She was a member and past president of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society, a member of the Tabernacle Society at All Saints Church, and an active and enthusiastic volunteer at Weeks Medical Center.
During her last, lengthy illness she never complained, but instead chose to focus on the many blessings in her life.
Family members include a daughter Judith Bomar and her husband David of Bristol, CT, a son David Hartshorn and his wife Deborah of Southington, CT. The grandchildren she so dearly loved also survive her, Jacqueline deRuyter and her husband Ben, Brian Hartshorn and his fiancée, Lisa Duffy; Meagan Kinney and her husband Justin; Lindsey Bomar; and Kaitlin Mary Hartshorn. In her lifetime she was also blessed by three great-grandchildren; Joshua, Lauren, and Marley deRuyer. She was predeceased by, her husband Harold of 35 years.
Her family will receive friends on Monday, November 12, from 6-8 PM, at the Bailey Funeral Home, Lancaster. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Tuesday morning at 10:00 AM, at All Saints Church, Lancaster. Reverend Raymond Ball, pastor, will officiate. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Lancaster.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Weeks Medical Center Auxiliary, 170 Middle Street, Lancaster, NH 03584