PLYMOUTH – Eleanor Mae Whitney, 89, died June 27, 2012, at a Hartland health care facility. She was born June 25, 1923, in Detroit, a daughter of Lewis and Cora (Smith) Norris.
She attended Detroit schools and Newport High School. Eleanor worked for 21 years at Dexter Shoe Co. in their Dexter and Newport locations. She later worked for 10 years at McDonald’s, Newport, making biscuits, where she was affectionately known as “Aunt Rose.” She will be remembered as a Gold Star mother after the death of her son, Tarry O’Reilly, who died in Vietnam. Eleanor was also a member of Barrows-Skidgel American Legion Auxiliary and High Street Church, both of Newport.
She is survived by two daughters, Vileta Stone of Oakland and Coreine and husband, Raymond Fletcher, of Palmyra; two stepsons, John and wife, Corinne Whitney, of Waterville and Paul Whitney of Plymouth; a stepdaughter, Mary Whitney of East Newport; one brother, Alvin and wife, Thelma Norris, of Pittsfield; a sister, Mabel Hart of Detroit; five grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren; and a dear friend, Harvard Harding and family of Plymouth.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 3, at Crosby & Neal, 117 Main St., Newport, with Pastor Al H. Worden officiating. Friends may call 10 a.m. until the time of services. Burial will be afterward at Sawyer Cemetery, Plymouth. Memorial donations may be made to High Street Congregational Church, 18 High St., Newport, ME 04953. Those who wish may leave written condolences at
www.CrosbyNeal.com.