Eleanor Gannon
Mystic — Eleanor Jean (Rouleau) Gannon died Tuesday morning, Aug. 7, 2018, at her home in Mystic.
Ellie was born on Oct. 13, 1924, the youngest child of Benjamin and Pearl (Gaffney) Rouleau. Her father died when she was only nine months old in the French section of Holyoke, Mass., known as the “The Flats.” Her mother Pearl, an accomplished cook, moved the family to Sterling when Ellie was 11 to support her children. With her mother working long hours, Ellie would go to the restaurant after school and do her homework in one of the booths.
In Sterling, she met her future husband Bill and they raised their family in Mystic. After buying an antique colonial home and with three young daughters to care for, Ellie painted, wallpapered, scraped, sanded and created a lovely home.
Ellie stayed at home while her children were young, always insisting on the term “homemaker” rather than “housewife.” She was a Brownie and Girl Scout leader, a Cub Scout den mother and a room mother. Her homemade Halloween costumes were perennial favorites. As her children grew, she enjoyed a career as a houseparent at Mystic Oral School and then at Connecticut Counseling in Groton. In her retirement, she served her community as an active member of the Town of Groton RTM. She was a communicant of St. Patrick’s Church, serving as a eucharistic minister and tireless volunteer.
Artistic and creative, Ellie always had a project she was working on. She could sew, paint and craft just about anything. She enjoyed traveling and visited Ireland, England, France and the American Southwest. A favorite spot was her beloved North Truro at the tip of Cape Cod, where she spent many happy hours with her family.
Ellie’s friendships were very important to her and she nurtured those special relationships throughout her life. If you needed a friend, Ellie was always there. It was that simple.
Ellie is survived by her husband of 69 years, Bill; three daughters, Lynn Gannon of Ledyard, Sheila Gannon and Julie Gannon Thompson (Lon), both of Mystic; two sons, John (Tory Lynn) of Colchester and Thomas of East Hampton; eight grandchildren, Gina Sacco Velez of Stonington, Elizabeth Thompson of New York City, Caroline Thompson of Glastonbury, Emily Thompson of Nashville, Tenn., Hillary and John Gannon of Colchester, and Erin and Benjamin Gannon of East Hampton; and great-granddaughter, Violet Velez of Stonington.
She was predeceased by her older brother, Benjamin Rouleau.
There will be a funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 13, 2018, at St. Patrick’s Church, Mystic. Burial will be immediately following the service at St. Patrick’s Cemetery, River Road, Mystic. There will be a procession from the church to the cemetery. There are no calling hours.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances in Ellie’s honor may be sent to: The Groton Animal Foundation or the Connecticut Humane Society.
The essence of Ellie’s being was putting others above herself. She lived life with energy and purpose, adding her signature style and grace. Ellies’s motto was “Keep it simple; Make it fun.” She relished a beautiful day at the beach, a classic old movie, and befitting her French heritage, a fine glass of sherry. The world is a better place because of her kindness, compassion and generosity. How we will miss her.