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Elena Bingham Obituary
Chadds Ford - Elena Bingham - our beautiful mother, sister, aunt, and friend - passed away suddenly on May 24, 2021 following emergency surgery. She was 74 years old.
Elena came to the United States in 1960 at the age of 14 along with her brother Ricky, two among the many children fleeing the Castro regime in Cuba as part of Operation Peter Pan. She spoke no English when she arrived, but she would go on to earn her Bachelor of Science and a Master's degree in Chemistry from the University of Texas at Austin in 1973. One of only two women in her program, she was an early entrant into what had been a largely male-dominated discipline. While in Texas, she married Richard Bingham. Together they moved to Wilmington to join the Dupont Company as research scientists. While they later divorced, they remained supportive and caring friends right through her final days.
Elena moved through many assignments with DuPont before retiring in 2005. Following her retirement from the business world, she took on the role of President of Ursuline Academy, retiring for the second time in 2008. Elena was also on several Boards of Trustees, including St. Bonaventure University, St. Francis Hospital in Wilmington, and the Franciscan Ministries Foundation.
Elena was a woman of many talents. Beyond her professional career, she loved to spend time painting, sculpting and creating colorful quilts for family and friends. She also enjoyed expanding her linguistic skills. In addition to her native Spanish and English, she was fluent in Italian and most recently had begun studying German. She made many trips to Italy, living in Rome for months at a time, and greatly enjoyed her weekly meetings with her local 'Italian Group.'
Elena is survived by her beloved son, Miles Bingham, his partner, Christopher Church, and her brother, Richard Plasencia, along with his wife, Maria Elena, and their three children, Richard, Lisa, and Alex.
A "Celebration of Life" service will be held on Sunday, June 13, at 12:00 at the Carriage House at Rockwood Park, 4671 Washington Street Extension, Wilmington, DE. A light lunch will be served following the ceremony.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Elena's name to the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia (osfphila.org), or to the St. Francis of Assisi Church in New York (stfrancisnyc.org) to support their ongoing charitable programs.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Elena Bingham
Alina Salvat
June 13, 2021
I literally just found out about this 10 minutes ago. Elena was my witness at my wedding in 2012 and I considered her my wiser sister. I will miss her more than I can say now. Both my wife felt she was part of our family of choice and I agree that we had never met such a beautiful soul. I’m thankful that she touched our lives.
June 9, 2021
An extraordinary woman, and a life well lived! Rest In Peace.
-Karin Clark
Br. Basil Valente, OFM
June 9, 2021
Dear Miles--I'm so sorry learn about your mother's passing. I will always remember Elena as a truly selfless person, constantly accomplishing everything she could for the well-being of the other person (people). When I garnered a teaching award at St. Bonaventure University some years ago, I'll never forget how generous your mother was to my mother... My mom and dad came to St. Bonaventure that year and watched me receive the award at graduation. Well, when I brought my parents back to their room after the ceremony, my mother saw a beautiful bouquet of two dozen roses. They were from your mother to my mother, with a wonderful note. I will always remember Elena's special thoughtfulness and her love for God's good people--at every juncture. I hope you're doing OK, Miles, and I pray for your own peace and healing, especially at the difficult time. May Elena now rest in God's loving embrace. Fondly, --Br. Basil Valente, OFM
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Laura Booth
June 8, 2021
June 8, 2021
It is with great sadness that I write this note.
Elena was an amazing, beautiful, kind, caring, brilliant, witty person.
I had the pleasure of getting to know her when she was the President of Ursuline Academy. She was very fond of our Montessori program and spent a good deal of time in our classrooms and/or just having lunch with us while the children were on the playground. These are wonderful memories that I'll cherish forever.
Miles, Richard and Family, please accept my deepest sympathy. May God's love surround you at this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Laura Booth
Marie Ferrier
June 8, 2021
Elena was a very special person who I admired. She will be missed by many who knew her - especially me. We worked together at Ursuline and became friends for life. Rest in peace my friend.
Nora Henderson
June 7, 2021
Elena was always a beautiful kind person. I worked with her at DuPont and have many fond memories. I always admired her. I will pray for her soul.
Ellen Emerson White
June 5, 2021
We are so terribly sorry to hear this news--Elena was a wonderful person. I used to have lunch with her in NYC, and it was always a lively conversation! She had so many interests and intellectual passions.
She left behind many friends. We are sending our deep sympathies to Miles, and all of her other loved ones.
Ellen Emerson White (and my father Frank White, another good friend of hers)_
Diane Ambrosino
June 5, 2021
Such a surprise to learn about Elena's passing. I didn't know her well, but recognized that she was a standout individual - bright, warm and giving.
I attended some classes with Elena at the America Italy Society, Philadelphia. What a bright, enthusiastic and insightful contributor! I later was amazed at her joy of driving, no matter the distance and her generosity in driving distances for friends. She went out of her way to welcome and spend time with an Italian friend who had moved to Philadelphia from Milan to be with her son. This friend had no other friends in the States nor knowledge of English. Elena called her, visited with her, took her for rides and looked for others who could spend time with her friend. She introduced me to her friend, and I spent an afternoon with her.
I’m blessed to have known Elena, even just a little. Truly a standout individual and example for us all.
Shelley
June 5, 2021
For Miles and all those she left- I wish you solace and send my condolences. I remember her after only a couple of brief meetings as a dynamic woman who so loved her son, born on her birthday. What a gift! May her memory be a blessing.
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