Eleanor Margaret DeFillipo

Eleanor DeFillipo, a life-long resident of Pelham, NY passed away on February 17th. She was 88 years old. In fact, she was born in her home, located on Third Avenue. Eleanor was a resident at the Wartburg in her most recent years.

She was born to Francis and Eleanor Gillooly on October 3, 1928. She was the eldest of three children; siblings are Nancy Mirra and a pre-deceased sister, Maureen Campanelli. She attended Hutchinson Elementary and graduated from Pelham High School in 1946. She met Michael, the love of her life, in elementary school and they married upon his return from he Navy. They remained married for a blissful 47 years. Two sons and a daughter were born of this union.

After high school Eleanor furthered her education in Business School. She began her career working in Manhattan at the Empire State Building. After raising her family, she did secretarial work part-time at both La Gravinese Jewelers and the Sanborn Map Company, both located in Pelham, NY.

Eleanor was an avid Giants fan. She was "The Consummate" cook for innumerable tailgate parties. There was no greater Giant fan than Eleanor! She loved animals; especially dogs and had a special place in her heart for the Guiding Eyes of the Blind. She was a beloved parishioner of St. Catharine's Church and maintained celebrity status as a Pelham resident. Nothing gave her greater joy than sitting on her porch and watching the children walk back and forth to and from school each day.

She put everyone before herself. She was a loving, caring, honest and compassionate person. Her loving spirit was only surpassed by her determined strength; Eleanor was truly a fighter. Above all, she loved life and her family. She was most proud of her 7 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.

Eleanor is survived by her three children: James ( Lisa), Patricia ( Bill ) Wienecke, and Robert ( Angela). She will be lovingly remembered and honored by her grand and great-grandchildren.

A special thanks is given to the Wartburg Community for all their kindness and support to Eleanor and our family.

A celebration of Eleanor's life will take place on Tuesday, February 21st from 4:00pm to 8:00pm at Pelham Funeral Home, 64 Lincoln Avenue, Pelham, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00am on Wednesday, February 22nd at St. Catharine's Church, 25 Second Avenue, Pelham, NY. Interment will take place at the Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. For more information or to leave a condolence please visit www.pelhamfuneral.com