Col. Eleanor M. Carey

Col. Eleanor M. Carey, 85, formerly of Avoca, passed away Tuesday, June 18, 2013, at the Army Resident Center, San Antonio Texas.

Col. Carey was born March 21, 1928 in Scranton to an Irish Catholic family, and she spent her youth in Avoca. She was the daughter of the late Edward T. and Grace M. (McGaughlin) Carey.

Col. Carey attended St. Mary's Parochial School, she was a graduate of St. John's High School, Pittston, she obtained her bachelor's degree in nursing from the University of Pennsylvania, and was a flight nurse-nursing administrator in the U.S. Air Force until her retirement in San Antonio.

Eleanor spent most of her retirement years volunteering in various capacities, always protecting and promoting the health and welfare of the underprivileged and disenfranchised.

Col. Carey traveled over much of the world and was stationed in Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam, and many other foreign bases.

Additionally, Eleanor was a dyed-in-the-wool Democrat, and active in state, local, and national politics, always championing the rights of those less fortunate than herself.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, John, Leo, Edward and William Carey; and her sister, Grace Sullivan.

She leaves seven nieces and nephews; and the most ardent and loyal of friends, and countless beneficiaries of her caring and can-do manner.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in Queen of the Apostles Church (St. Mary's Church), Hawthorne Street, Avoca, with the Rev. Phillip Sladicka officiating. Family and friends may call for visitation at the church from 10 a.m. until time of services. Interment will be held in St. Catherin's Cemetery, Moscow, with full military honors provided by active members of the United States Air Force, McGuire Air Force Base.

Arrangements are made by Kiesinger Funeral Services Inc., 255 McAlpine St., Duryea.

Online condolences may be made to www.kiesingerfuneralservices.com.