Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Eleanor Fletcher Obituary
Family-Placed Obituary
ELEANOR MAYO FLETCHER Eleanor Mayo Fletcher, 92, known as 'The Turtle Lady of Juno Beach,' died on March 3, 2009 at the Waterford Health Care Center. Mrs. Fletcher was born in Mendon, MA. She attended Framingham State Teachers College. Following her marriage to the late Robert L. Fletcher, she lived in Worcester and Holden, MA, where she was a Girl Scout leader and trainer for 20 years. In 1969 the Fletchers moved to Juno Beach. Mrs. Fletcher became a pioneer and leader in the preservation of sea turtles. For more than 25 years she patrolled a one mile stretch of Juno Beach, monitoring turtle nests and hatchings. To share what she learned, she founded The Children's Museum of Juno Beach which became the present-day Loggerhead Marinelife Center. Mrs. Fletcher is survived by her daughters, Nancy Artlett of Sydney, Australia and Sally Murray of Warrenton, VA; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to the Loggerhead Marinelife Center, 14200 US Hwy. 1, Juno Beach, FL 33408. To express condolences and/or make donations Visit PalmBeachPost.com/obituaries
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Eleanor Fletcher
Sue Fleming
August 2, 2014
On my way to Juno Marinelife center with hatchlings this am I looked up and saw a rainbow and thought about the joy that Eleanor always had in her eyes when it came to sea turtles, miss
You xo
J M
November 9, 2009
She was a great lady. I remember her from my childhood. She'd be out walking the beach early in the morning, looking for stranded hatchlings. Us kids, would helper pick up hatchlings out of the hotel parking lots. God bless and my condolences to her family.
October 31, 2009
rest in peace and keep those turtles safe up there also, sonny hare,palm beach,fla.
September 5, 2009
Without Miss Fletcher in this area we never would have had the Sea Turtles protected and the Turte Museum--God Bless her
MM Jupiter
Tracy Lee
August 25, 2009
I moved to West Palm when I was 15 in 1980. I met Miss Eleanor walking on the beach, she told me they call her the turtle lady. She was kind and fearless. She educated me not only about sea turtles & the ocean, but about life. Because of her I have the passion to teach children (young & old) what she brought to my life. God truly blessed us with her presence on this earth for all these years.
Angel Mohamed
July 20, 2009
What a wonderful woman, she contributed so much to her community and taught them so much. I consider her as a role model and hope to be able to help keep sea turtle research and love alive. Thank you for helping to preserve such a treasure for future generations.
Emma Kerr-Namit
June 27, 2009
I'm sorry I didn't know about her passing sooner, I worked at the waterford, I made her a turtle door hanger. I missed being with her
when I quit Waterford, because you are never aloud on the property
again. I love Turtles, and I collect anything turtle, I just loved all her
Turtle stories. Thankyou Elenor, Emma Kerr Namit, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida [email protected]
Michael Brazinskas
June 8, 2009
I had the privilege of working with Mrs. Fletcher when she first set up her museum at an abandoned motel just across the street from the beach. I learned so much about sea turtles from her and developed a deep appreciation for the sea. She was a big mentor and a wonderful friend. I will miss her!
julie bovender
May 19, 2009
What a loss for the community.When I first arived in Fla in 1980 I began going on "turtle walks"and that is when I first met Eleanor.I was educated and entertained,she allowed me to take photos which I treasure to this day.There was one female in particular who had only three flippers yet every season still came home to nest.Thank you for all the lives that are richer for your dedication and caring.You will be missed but never forgotten.Condolences to the family and God Bless
Diane Mattson
May 14, 2009
Eleanor must of been some very special and awesome lady. I didn't know her, but I read her obiturary and was very impressed how involved she was in turtles. Last year we went on the Turtle Walk for the first time and it was one of the neatest experiences I ever had seeing a turtle come onto the beach and lay her eggs. We are going again this year. God Bless Eleanor and my condolences to her family.
Karen Michaels
May 8, 2009
My husband Joe and I lived in North Palm for many years and everytime we had someone visit from out of town, making a trip to the Marine Santuary to see the turtles and learn something to make our environment a better place to live was on our "To Do List." Lots of good memories were formed there. God Bless Eleanor and her family.
Beth Ruggles Paul
March 30, 2009
Sally and Nancy, our memories go way back to your mom's deep desire to instill a love of learning and a respect for the environment into every aspect of our lives. She was a special lady and we were fortunate to have known her.
Ruth Akers
March 29, 2009
Our condolences to Sally and Nancy and families. The Ruggles family and the Fletchers go WAY BACK to Holden, Mass and the 1950s. I remember those paddle boats on the lake -- and Eleanor washing my hair in the lake when I was a kid!! My mother and I moved to Lake Worth, FL in 1961 after my father died. It was great fun to renew our ties with Bob and Eleanor when they also moved south. We stayed in touch over the years and enjoyed dinners and outings together. After my wedding in 1975, my siblings and their kids all went to visit the turtles. Eventually I had my own children who were able to enjoy "The Turtle Lady's" zest for life. They saw how tenderly she stroked those turtles and heard her laugh (honk?) when something amused her. She was always full of life and fun to be around -- and she obviously made her life count! What a legacy! Thanks for sharing your mom/gramma with all of us --
LOVE from "Ruthie" Ruggles Akers (and my OLDER siblings, Phil, Lois, and Beth : )
Leslie B.
March 10, 2009
I am a Volunteer at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno and was inspired by the life of Mrs. Fletcher to continue my training and experience. Although I never met her, I had the pleasure of talking with her daughter Sally at the Center last year. Her memory and love for sea turtles will live on.
Kathy
March 9, 2009
I, too, am one of the lucky ones from Sunshine Tree Montessori that spent many a school day at the Turtle Lady's house. We fed puffer fish, made collages out of shells, and learned much from Mrs. Fletcher. We learned very early to respect those cordoned off areas on the beach, because we were convinced that Mrs. Fletcher was out to save every baby turtle that was fortunate enough to be hatched on her beach. I am grateful to have been one of her students.
John Doyle
March 7, 2009
My sympathies to Eleanor's family. I have visited Jupiter/Juno Beach for 24 yrs and always visited the Marine Life Center. I remember talking to Eleanor in the gift shop many times. She was always friendly and talkative and answered any question I had. She will be missed.
Jane McCauley
March 6, 2009
Sally and Nancy, My sympathy to you both. I am a friend from Hubbardston, Ma. who was honored to know all of you when you had your camp in Hubbardston. Have been looking for you for years. Was surprised to read that Nancy lived in Australia. No wonder I couldn't find you. All the gals of Hubbardston miss you. Get in touch with us. Jane Adams McCauley, 75 Ragged Hill Road, Hubbardston, Ma.
I might mention that Eleanor always had a love of nature even at the camp in Hubbardston where they had paddle boats.
Susan Schenk
March 6, 2009
As a member of the Marinelife Center staff for ten years I would have to say I didn't see Eleanor near enough. I will always be thankful for her hard work and support for my job as the Education Curator. She was tender and tough, smart and sensitive to the needs of all the wildlife though sea turtles were her favorite.
Throughout my time with her I learned to appreciate the hard fight she had just to get attention for what at the time was an unprotected resource.
To her family I wish my utmost sympathy. To her friends I say lets show her our love by supporting the Center with donations and support the likes that they have never seen before.
To all the kids I had the privilege to teach, let us now remember our historian, our founder and the reason we got to do all that wonderful research for those awesome ten years.
My heart feels the rhythm of the sea that Eleanor gave to me.
Susan Murray
March 6, 2009
Eleanor Fletcher is my grandmother. The outrageous memories of childhood vacations spent with The Turtle Lady of Juno Beach are too many to recount here, but include a 2 a.m. phone call to rescue baby turtles from a swimming pool; countless nights as a teenager being out on the beach until nearly dawn; and care and feeding of the dozens of animals that lived in her condo at any given time—blue jays, snakes, land turtles, an octopus, and of course, sea turtles. She was fearless and tireless and utterly fixated on doing whatever it took to protect the turtles she so dearly loved. I had the privilege of being with Gramma on her last night on Juno Beach when Chris took us to see a leatherback. In all my childhood summers, I saw hundreds of loggerheads and a dozen greens, but never was lucky enough to see a leatherback. I believe it was part of the magic of Gramma Fletcher that brought us all together on the beach for her final night trek with the turtles of Juno Beach. How fitting that this magnificent woman should be escorted out by the most majestic of sea turtles. Wherever you are Gramma, I am sure you are surrounded by all the animals you cherished in your walk on this planet. Thanks for showing us all what a difference one person can make. You are dearly missed.
Jeannette
March 6, 2009
As an elementary student at a Montessori school in the Methodist Church in Juno Beach in the 70's, I distinctly remember going to "The Turtle Ladies' " house. We would walk just up the street to visit and see her aquariums with turtles, her seashells all over the house, and it was the most fun place to go. When I took my son to the Loggerhead Marine Life Center last year, it was those memories that came flooding back. Thank you Fletcher family for sharing her with all of us!
Eleanor Fletcher at the Marinelife Center in 2007
March 6, 2009
chris johnson
March 5, 2009
One of my fondest memories of Eleanor was from the night of May 25th 2002. I was patrolling the beach looking for leatherback turtles along Juno Beach. Shortly before midnight, I encountered an untagged turtle at the Seminole Golf Course. I quickly tagged, measured and checked out the turtle before heading north. Shortly afterward, I was approached by Eleanor’s daughter, Sally. She introduced herself and told me that Eleanor was sitting on the walkover with her granddaughter and was excited about the prospect of seeing a nesting turtle. I said “hop on!” and drove the three of them south to watch the turtle finish up her nest. This was the first time that I had met Eleanor and I was excited to share my work with her and her family.
As a staff member of the Marinelife Center for the past 12 years, I believe that Eleanor’s values still guide me and my crew who continue the work she began so many summers ago. We will always remember the turtle lady of Juno Beach.
Julie Heitzenrater Duval
March 5, 2009
I was lucky enough to visit Eleanor Fletcher's home twice as a guest accompanying her granddaughter for spring break. It was always an adventure, with turtles in the bathtub, alligators in the lagoon and Girl Scout cookies in the freezer, and I learned a lot about sea turtles. I am so sorry for your loss.
Jacqueline Wagoner
March 5, 2009
I'm so sorry for your loss. I've never been to your mom's. But I have always wanted to go. My family and I actually spoke and thought of going this past week-end. I will keep all of you in my prayers. God Bless.
Arlinda Atwood
March 5, 2009
I enjoyed Mrs. Fletcher. I worked at the Waterford Community (her home) and would go with her on our own "turtle walk" around the pond there. She loved to save bread, chips, etc., to throw to the many fresh water turtles living there. I was there during her 90th birthday (she loved that cap) and remember how she enjoyed the attention.
Valerie Collins
March 5, 2009
I did not know her, but as a wildlife lover and volunteer,I am impressed by her . SHe left a legacy. My condolences.
David Lansberry
March 5, 2009
Very sad to hear of Eleanors' passing. I moved to Juno Bch in 1975 as a 10 year old and met her soon after. I remember being in her apt during the late 70's and seeing her museum on her patio during this time. She taught the neighborhood kids about the turtles and was always very nice to us. I also remember her being on the beach at night during the nesting season policing the scene. Believe it or not, back then, people would shine flashlights directly on the turtles while they were coming out of the water and ride on their backs! She always put an end to that nonsense -> good for her. Hope her family finds comfort in the thought that she did a lot of good for the turtles - and people.
Nina Braun
March 5, 2009
I never had the honor of meeting your Mom but will some day. I love turtles and have them all over the house. I followed the many years of joy and education she provided so many people and more importantly so many turtles. She will be greatly missed but I assure you she is happy. The grief is for us here but she is surrounded by her loved ones and the turtles that she helped.
Eleanor and daughter Sally with quilt made by daughter Nancy, Jan. 2008. This was Eleanor's last visit to the museum she founded 30 years earlier.
March 5, 2009
Eleanor on the beach with daughter Nancy, granddaughter Susan, great-grandsons Ben and Jon and grandson David, 2006
March 5, 2009
Eleanor leading children from the museum to the beach, 1986
March 5, 2009
Eleanor on the porch of her condo in 1975, where the Children's Museum originated.
March 5, 2009
Display honoring Eleanor at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center
March 5, 2009
Timeline display at Loggerhead Marinelife Center
March 5, 2009
Eleanor Fletcher's artwork
March 5, 2009
Eleanor with great-grandsons Ben and Jon Scudder at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center, 2006
March 5, 2009
Eleanor Fletcher with juvenile green turtles, 1986
Sally Murray
March 5, 2009
At birth, I drew the lucky straw. Eleanor was my mother. She was simply the most extraordinary woman I've ever known. She was an artist, musician, gardener, Girl Scout leader, seamstress, wildlife expert, writer, educator and amazing mother and grandmother long before she became "The Turtle Lady of Juno Beach." It is thrilling and much appreciated by us, her immediate family, to know that the influence of Mom's talents, energy and dedication to conservation touched the lives of so many people. Her slightly-turned-out footprints are permanently engraved in our hearts and on the sands of Juno Beach. Sally F. Murray
jim connor
March 5, 2009
I had the pleasure to work with
Eleanor--turtle lady--in the early
80's--she educated so many
people and saved thousands of turtles-she was a selfless crusader
long live the turtle lady...
Jim
March 5, 2009
Extra ordinary woman. I met her a few times when I was a boy back in the seventies during turtle nesting and hatching seasons. She provided many with a life long awareness of our local turtle treasure. She will be missed.
Goofing off with great-grandson Bailey in 2003
March 5, 2009
Walking into the MarineLife Center with great-grandson Bailey in 2003
March 5, 2009
Eleanor Fletcher with her grandson Matt and her great-grandson Bailey in 2003
March 5, 2009
Thousands of sea turtles are alive today because of Eleanor Fletcher.
March 5, 2009
She was a staunch defender of turtles before it became a common cause.
March 5, 2009
Her birthday cake at Loggerhead center.
March 5, 2009
Eleanor Fletcher at her 90th birthday.
March 5, 2009
Showing 1 - 46 of 46 results
Make a Donation
in Eleanor Fletcher's name
Memorial Events
for Eleanor Fletcher
How to support Eleanor's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Eleanor Fletcher's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
