ELEANOR DWIGHT Obituary

DWIGHT--Eleanor Collier, 72, died on November 16. Born September 5, 1938, in Boston, she attended St. Timothy's and Shipley schools and graduated from Sarah Lawrence College in 1960. She earned a master's degree from Columbia University in 1964 and a Ph.D. in American literature from New York University in 1984. She lived all her adult life in New York City. An Edith Wharton scholar, she wrote an illustrated biography of Edith Wharton, published in 1994. Her other books portrayed Diana Vreeland, the Gilded Age in New York City, and tennis innovator James Van Alen. Her articles on gardens, travel, and literature appeared in Harper's Bazaar, House Beautiful, and New York magazines, and the New York Times. She taught and lectured extensively on literature and gardens. She gardened with her husband at their summer home on Mount Desert Island, Maine. A formidable intellect, she served on the boards of Edith Wharton's estate "The Mount," the Colony Club, and the Garden Club of Mount Desert, and was a member of the Century Association. Married 34 years to George H.P. Dwight, who died in 2009, she is survived by her three children, Daphne Trotter, Willard Gardiner, and Sargent Gardiner; her five step-children, Lucinda Dwight, George Dwight, Margaret Dwight, Bradley Dwight, and Susannah Prout; eight grandchildren; and seven step-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 4pm on Tuesday, December 7, at St. Michael's Church, 225 West 99th Street, New York, NY. Donations to the George and Eleanor Dwight Memorial Fund at Groton School, Groton, MA, and The Mount, Lenox, MA, are welcome.

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Published by New York Times on Nov. 22, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for ELEANOR DWIGHT

13 Entries

Bernadette Baker

December 10, 2010

Mrs Dwight was a dear patient at our infusion center. Beyond that, our conversations were always filled with tales of the way things were and for me painted an America I could only imagine, but imagine so well indeed once guided by Mrs Dwight's vivid descriptions and way...I will miss her most here...I looked forward to our chats every week and the pictures of her family she fondly enjoyed sharing with me and the other staff...rest in sweet peace lovely lady...xx

john paris

December 7, 2010

to use her father's own language, Ellie was, "...my favorite ball club..."

boy friend Summer '57 and beyond. John

Alan and Irene Goldman-Price

December 6, 2010

We will miss Ellie as an important member of the Edith Wharton Society. Her books, her presentations, and just her presence were important to all of us. We remember her as a lover of gardens with a great sense of style and for her generosity to other scholars. Our condolences to the family from both of us.

Lewis Buckler

December 4, 2010

As a first cousin I have known Ellie since we were little children. As children we played together at our grandmother's home in Bar Harbor. As adults Ellie invited Anne and me to her lectures and parties after the lectures. Ellie has always been a friend and I will miss her greatly.

Anne Buckler

December 3, 2010

We will miss Ellie & George both. One of our fondest memories of them was the summer of Andy & Ted's family reunion in Rockport. Enroute, we contacted them in Bar Harbor. They were celebrating George's birthday & present were his step children & their families. They graciously invited us to join them for dessert & what a magical time it was. The grandchildren were so delightful as they participated in the celebration of George's special day. Ellie & George enjoyed every minute & we were greatful to be present in the room. We reach out to all of you at your time of sorrow. We will see all of you in New York, next week.

Anne Buckler

December 1, 2010

It was such a shock to hear from Willard that Ellie had died. Byron and I had seen her in Newport RI only months before, when she gave a talk at the Tennis Hall of Fame, based on her book about Jimmy van Allen & tennis in the early 20th century. Ellie looked beautiful, gave a splendid lecture, and we had no idea that she was again battling the cancer that would so soon take her life. Her book, I discovered later, was dedicated "for George, who loved to win," and I was reminded of what a loving, lively couple they'd been. I'll miss Ellie, my friend since our graduate days at NYU--as will all her friends and family. Byron joins me in sending heartfelt condolences to Willard, Daphne and Sargent,to her step-children,and grandchildren, whom we'll see at the memorial service in NYC.
With love, Laura & Byron Menides
Worcester MA

November 30, 2010

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

November 29, 2010

Ellie and George were the finest kind, so bright and intellectually curious,inclusive and warm. We miss them terribly, but are consoled believing they are reunited. Our hearts reach out to all their family and friends, and we'll be with you in spirit for the memorial service in NYC.
Lovingly, Suzy and Jim Owen
Trenton, ME

Nicholas Emery

November 24, 2010

Emilie and I are thinking of both Ellie and George here in Trinidad and will light a candle now in honor of their love

Margie Dwight

November 23, 2010

In memory of Ellie-

Maybe it is inevitable that as a daughter of George, the prism that I view Ellie is one that often focuses on what Ellie meant to Dad. The conclusion arrived at through years of experience and observation is that she simply meant everything to him. She gave my father the greatest gift possible, the gift of a lifetime of happiness, companionship and love. He was truly happy when he was in Ellie's presence. When Dad died, Ellie was beside him as she had been for most of his life sharing her love, her strength and her devotion.
Certainly, there was so much more to Ellie's life and achievements. Her curiosity, her life long commitment to learning and creating; her Diana Vreeland book was a fun, fabulous, page turner for a slave to fashion such as myself. After Dad's death Ellie and I shared a love of Swedish mystery writers and read the so-called Millenium Trilogy by Steig Larsson. No matter what the obstacles, Ellie was a full participant in what life had to offer.
I don't pretend to know what comes after this life. I choose to embrace an idea that love survives, and in the case of Dad and Ellie, it thrives now that they are reunited.

Thank you Ellie and you'll be missed.

November 23, 2010

I willl miss Ellie very much. Her unfailing good spirits and her sincere optimism (which alas, misled
me as to the progress of her illness) were an absolute tonic-especially in these frayed times.I received the news yesterday with shock and sadness. I first met Ellie and George in Paris at an Edith Wharton conference years ago. Then Ellie and I had a grand time (along with everyone
else) on the wonderful tour of Italian gardens she organized, gardens which so inspired Edith Wharton (and Ellie Dwight) We spent much more time on that trip than anyone had anticipated (including Ellie) in the vineyards adjacent to those gardens, toasting
their glories, and those of life. But of course, no
one was complaining. Ellie was truly the leavening
in life--those indomitable high spirits --real and uncompromised ,were a gift, and lifted everything around her. Even in the midst of
her suffering and grief, after George's death, she
somehow always looked "forward." when "things
will be better." I will miss her
so much and it is truly a 'heart ache" to know that
on walks through the park, or in a museum I can
now only imagine, or remember, the singular, special qualities of my dear and treasured friend who is now gone. My deep condolences to all her loving family, and friends.
Carol Hill Albert

November 22, 2010

Hello to all family and friends of Ellie,
Because we cannot attend the memorial service we want to extend our deepest sympathy at the news of Ellie's demise. She was an old friend and lately a frequent houseguest of ours in RI (as was George). Her quick mind and even quicker repartee were a delight. As a lecturer she handled inconveniences like faulty PowerPoint equipment and inept technicians with tact and resourcefulness, making the best of a bad situation with ladylike tact and creativity! Her illness was handled with the same aplomb and grace. She spoke of her family with such love that I know she will be sorely missed by all. Ginny and Jim Purviance

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