Eleanor "Ellie Mae" Veilleux

HAMPDEN -- Eleanor "Ellie Mae" Veilleux, 87, wife of the late Aurele "Pete" Veilleux, passed away Thursday, May 19, 2011, at a Bangor hospital surrounded by her loving family. She was born Oct. 2, 1923, in Brewer, the daughter of Charles and Maude Brown.

Eleanor graduated from Brewer High School in 1940 and married in Denver, Colo., in 1944. She enjoyed her home, gardening, painting, tap dancing, playing her Yamaha organ, and attending Air Force reunions throughout the country with her husband of 62 years. But most of all, she enjoyed being a stay-at-home loving mother and wife. She was an inspiration to her children and a role model for care and compassion. She was a member of the Hampden VFW Auxiliary Post 4633.

Eleanor is survived by her three children, Suzanne Cyr, and husband Joseph of Old Town, Bonnie Frend and husband Peter of Cumberland Foreside, and James Veilleux and wife Barbara of Bangor. She is also survived by nine grandchildren, Michael Cyr of Old Town, Chris Cyr of South Portland, Julie Gibowicz and husband Joseph of Sudbury, Mass., Rebecca Whitmore and husband Dennis "DJ" of Old Town, Peter Frend of Bolton, Mass., Patrick Frend and wife Jillian of Long Island City, N.Y., Andrew Frend and wife Kristan of Minneapolis, Minn., Timothy Frend and wife Jessica of Bethesda, Md., and Casey Veilleux of Portland. She is also survived by nine great-grandchildren, John Cyr, Genevieve, Rose and Isabel Gibowicz, Cameron and Sydney Frend, Elizabeth and Katherine Frend, and Ruby Whitmore. Within 12 hours of her passing, Eleanor was again blessed with two new great-grandsons, Griffin Frend and Ian Whitmore. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Aurele "Pete" Veilleux; and brothers Walter and Milton Brown.

The family wishes to thank the compassionate staffs at Winterberry Heights Assisted Living and St. Joseph Hospital for the loving care she received. At her request, a private service will be held for the family at Hampden-Gilpatrick Funeral Home, on Tuesday, May 24, 2011, at noon. Interment will occur at Locust Grove Cemetery, Hampden. In lieu of flowers, donations in Eleanor's memory may be made to her charity of choice, Manna Ministries, 629 Main St., Bangor, ME 04401. Condolences or memories may be shared through www.hampdengilpatrick.com.