Elinor Mae Gagus

SCOTTSDALE – Elinor Mae (Turner) Gagus 95 of Scottsdale died peaceably Monday, January 21st to join her beloved husband Bernie and son Larry. Elinor was born in Streator, Illinois on January 6, 1924 to Carl and Lillian Turner. Because of the Depression the family had to move, first to Joliet and then to Chicago to find work. During her teenage years the family took vacations out West and there Elinor first started to love the mountains of Colorado. After high school she went to work at Kresge’s cosmetic counter. Across the aisle selling ice cream was a handsome young man, Bernie Gagus whom she married on July 24th, 1942. Daughter Barbara was born during the war and was followed by a son, Larry and then daughter Debra. Elinor and Bernie both worked hard to support their family. Elinor started out selling dresses at Gately’s Department Store in Roseland, Illinois and then went to work for Illinois Bell (AT&T) until she retired. After retirement she, Bernie and Debbie moved to Scottsdale to be closer to daughter Barbara and to get away from the cold Chicago winters. Trips to Colorado and Branson, MO became favorite vacation destinations.

Elinor is survived by daughters Barbara McMullen and Debra Gagus of Scottsdale, nieces Connie Anderson, husband Bruce of Scottsdale, Denise Green of Illinois, Marilyn Martin, husband Windy of Bokeelia, FL and nephew Jim and wife Pat of Tucson. Also well-loved were honorary daughters Jan Larson of Scottsdale and Janice Faron of Frankfort, Il. Her beloved pets, Tilly, Farrah and Bella were at her side as she passed. No memorial service is planned, and her ashes will be spread in a favorite spot in Colorado which she always thought of as her heaven on earth.