Eleanor Bevans Gonseth

Eleanor "Lolly" Bevans Gonseth

Eleanor "Lolly" Bevans Gonseth, 87, died on Sunday, December 12, 2010, at Martha Jefferson Hospital in Charlottesville, Virginia.

She was born on December 7, 1923, to the late Jean Evans and Stuart Millikin Bevans at Walter Reed Army Hospital. After graduating from high school, she attended the National Cathedral School in Washington, D.C. She met her husband of 68 years, Kenneth M. Gonseth, Brigadiere General, United States Army, at 16, while he was a 2nd Lieutenant stationed at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. They married when she was 18.

She holds the record for being born at Walter Reed, married at the Walter Reed Chapel and having three children at Walter Reed. Her life as an Army Officer's wife began in 1942 spanning 30 years. Each move meant new responsibilities that she accepted willingly. She volunteered her time generously; very often the "volunteer" jobs turned into "full-time" managing responsibilities.

After Ken retired from the Army in 1970, they moved to Waterford, Virginia, where they owned a successful antique shop, The Painted Rooster. Gardening - from seeds to trees - golf and bridge kept them busy. These shared interests eventually took them to Pinehurst, North Carolina in 1984. Volunteering, once again, played a major role in her life.

A greater joy was being the mother of four children, Jane, Anne, Stuart and Sally; the grandmother of 10; and great-grandmother of seven. The annual "week at the beach" gave her the opportunity to spend quality time with her family. You could always count on grandmother to play a game, put together a jigsaw puzzle, or head to the ocean to play in the waves. Her heart was one that continually gave to others.

Eleanor is survived by two sisters, Marjorie B. Kent and Jean L. Bevans; her three daughters and their families. She was predeceased by her husband, Kenneth; son, Stuart; and grandson, David.

A memorial service will be held at the Church of Our Saviour Oatlands, Leesburg, Virginia, 9 a.m. Tuesday, January 4, 2011. Burial will follow at Arlington National Cemetery at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to Church of Our Saviour Oatlands, Leesburg, Virginia, or a charity of your choice.

Friends may send condolences to the family at www.hillandwood.com.


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.