BANGOR – Eliane C. Woodward, 88, died Aug. 28, 2010, at a local health care facility. She was born June 28, 1922, in Ayer, Mass., the daughter of Elie W. and Cedulie (Bellanger) Cornellier. Eliane had survived breast cancer, but 16 years later her death resulted from complications with Alzheimer’s disease. Shortly after starting school, she began taking piano lessons. She progressed rapidly and all her life part of each day was spent at her piano. She accompanied choral groups and performers at school, played the organ at Catholic churches in Massachusetts and in the Bangor area and directed the choir at the former Dow Air Force Base Chapel. Alzheimer’s not only ended her ability to play, it took away her delight and interest in music. Eliane spent the first year after high school at New England Conservatory of Music. She decided on a teaching career and entered Rivier College, Nashua, N.H., as an education major, graduating in 1944. Until the war ended, she worked in defense-related jobs, one as a civilian employee of the Army Nurse Corps. Early in World War II she was introduced to an Army private, Robert Woodward, by a mutual friend from his home town of Lancaster, N.H. In September 1946, she and Robert were married and moved to Lewiston, where Robert resumed studies at Bates College. The family moved to Boston and later bought a home in Walpole, Mass., big enough for a piano and four children. In 1962, the family moved to Bangor, and when all the children were in school, Eliane earned a master’s degree in elementary education at the University of Maine. She taught for 26 years in the fourth grade at Fairmount School, Bangor, and often had classes crowded with more than 30 students as the baby boomers passed through the school system. Teaching was a calling for her. She looked forward to the first day of school every year and found delight and fulfillment in the progress of her students. More than 700 fourth graders shared time in the classroom with her during her career. In her retirement, Eliane continued to travel widely. She and Robert made frequent trips to Europe and together thoroughly explored the American West. In addition to her husband, Robert, she is survived by her sister, Eva P. Cornellier of Dover, N.H.; daughter, Nancy of South Portland; three sons, Mark and wife, Bridget Woodward, of Bangor, Matthew Woodward of Bangor and Edson and Sue-Ellen Woodward of Falmouth; and six grandchildren, Christiana Woodward of Austin, Texas, Zachary Woodward of Bangor, Scott Bodford of Ventura, Calif., Caleb and Joshua Woodward of Orrington and Samuel Woodward of Falmouth. She was predeceased by brothers, Arthur, Henry and Edmond Cornellier. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at a date to be announced. Donations in Eliane’s memory may be made to the Westgate Activities Fund, Westgate Manor, 750 Union St., Bangor, ME 04401. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.
ELIANE C. WOODWARD
