Eleanor Hettlinger

Eleanor (Bonkosky) Hettlinger, passed away at Danbury Hospital Tuesday, November 9, 2010. She was preceded in death by her parents Matilda (Ritz) and William Bonkosky and husband Carl (Dick) Hettlinger to whom she was married for 64 years. Born in New Britain, on March 13, 1922, she graduated from New Britain High School and New Britain School of Nursing (class of 1943). Eleanor began her career of caring for others as an RN at New Britain Hospital and Bradley Memorial Hospital in Southington. For many years she was the office nurse for Dr. George M. Gura in Southington. She was a long-time member of First Lutheran Church, Southington and a proud member of the Nurses Alumni Associations of HCC at New Britain General and HCC at Bradley Memorial. She is survived by daughter Jane Sanger and husband Bob Sanger of New Milford, with whom she lived for the past five years; son Richard Hettlinger and wife Barbara of East Longmeadow, Mass., and Harpswell Maine, and son Robert Hettlinger and wife Phyllis of Bloomington, MN. She is also survived by sister Gladys Klotz, Southington; six grandchildren, five great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Eleanor will always be remembered for her gift of hospitality, hosting many family reunions and parties and for her baking, especially the Christmas cookies. She loved her God, her church, her family and friends and will be greatly missed by all. Visitation will be on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010 at 10:15am, First Lutheran Church, 232 Bristol St., Southington, followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m. at the church. Internment will follow in South End Cemetery, Southington. Eleanor and her family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to First Lutheran Church, 232 Bristol St., Southington, CT 06489. Plantsville Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. For online condolences and directions, please visit www.plantsvillefuneralhome.com.