Elinor L. Abend

WILMINGTON, DE - Elinor L. Abend, age 90, passed away on March 1, 2024. She was the daughter of Irving & Rose Lebowitz, and sister of Edward Lebowitz. Elinor was the beloved mother of Andria Keil Bilan (Pete), Beth Keil, and Jonathan Abend (Rachel); grandmother of Peter Bilan (Laura Cochran), Andrew Bilan (Alexis Bellamy), James Ryan ( Jessi Davis), Austin Egnor-Keil, Evan Abend, Samantha Abend, and Julia Abend; great grandmother of Azaelia, Zander, Ava & Riley Bilan, and Arya Ryan.

A true renaissance woman, Elinor was an avid world traveler who visited all seven continents; took a tandem skydiving jump at age 80; knitted extensively for B’nai Brith in Wilmington donating hats to at-risk children; designed jewelry specializing in beading and silversmithing; taught beading classes at Delaware Art Museum, JFS of Delaware, and the Kutz Home in Wilmington; was a preschool reading volunteer at the Wilmington YMCA; and enjoyed playing Mahjong with her friends. Professionally, Elinor was a certified Doula who took care of many newborn babies, especially twins and multiple births in the Wilmington area. Many of her “babies” kept in touch with Elinor over the years and considered her an extended member of their family.

Her family would like to extend its thanks to the staff of St. Francis Hospital Hospice Unit, Delaware Hospice, Home Instead and private duty aide Mariann, as well as the Schwartz family for their compassionate care of Elinor.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Chandler Funeral Home, 2506 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE on Friday March 8, 2024, at 12:30PM. Burial will be at Old Montefiore Cemetery in St. Albans, NY.

Donations can be made to JoshProvides Epilepsy Assistance Foundation at www.JoshProvides.org or to a charity of your choice.

For online condolences, please visit Chandlerfuneralhome.com.