Eleanor J. Kidd

Eleanor Juliette (Wambolt) Kidd departed this life on April 1, 2016 at the age of 103. She was born on July 4, 1912 in Andover, Vermont, the eldest daughter of William and Maude Wambolt. After a brief stint in New Hampshire the family moved to Springfield where her father died in the flu pandemic of 1918, leaving his wife, Eleanor and a younger sister Corine. Eleanor was an ardent and talented student, but like many of the era, was compelled to leave school to aid in the support of her remaining family. Throughout her life she was a voracious reader and delighted in the academic opportunities afforded to, and the accomplishments of, her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Before her marriage she worked principally at Massachusetts Mutual and Springfield College. She also served as Secretary to the Springfield Draft Board during World War II. She was active at St. James Methodist Church in Springfield where she met her future husband Robert. They married in 1940 and, after the birth of their first child, she remained a homemaker until Robert’s untimely death in 1969. She returned to work, this time in the travel industry, working first for Widener Travel and later for Stevens Travel of West Springfield. At St. James, and later at Mittineague Methodist Church when the family moved to West Springfield, she was a spiritual leader for young people leading both Sunday School and youth Fellowship activities. She was instrumental in the establishment of a nursery school that 45 years later still exists at Mittineague Methodist Church. Her personal hobbies included, reading, cooking and embroidery and she was accomplished at all of them. Thanks to the extraordinary efforts of her son, Robert, she was able to remain in her home until her death. The family also wishes to express its thanks to Suzanne Gossman for her many years of kind and generous care of Eleanor. She was predeceased by her parents, her sister Corine and her husband Robert Joseph Kidd. She is survived by her two sons, Attorney Ronald C. Kidd and his wife Dianne of Hampden and Attorney Robert W. Kidd of Blandford, five grandchildren, Dr. Michael R. Kidd and his wife Celeste of Laredo, Texas, E. Terrence Ward Jr. and his wife Bonnie of Easthampton, Aixa L. Kidd of Cumberland, Rhode Island, Robert J. Kidd and his wife Marie of Norwood, Sarah E. Gaer and her husband Neil of Ellington, Connecticut, several nieces and nephews and ten great grandchildren she adored, Derek, Juliette, Shannon, Myles, Harry, Bridget Rose, Thomas, Terry, Eleanor (Nora) and Duffy. The funeral will be held on Friday morning, April 8th at 11:00am at the West Springfield United Methodist Church, 800 Amostown Road, West Springfield followed by burial in Paucatuck Cemetery. Visiting hours with the family will be 4-7pm on Thursday April 7th at the West Springfield Curran-Jones, 109 Main Street, West Springfield. For more details please visit curranjones.com. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations in her memory to the West Springfield United Methodist Church, 800 Amostown Road, West Springfield, the Western Mass Council of Boy Scouts, 1 Arch Way, Westfield or the YMCA of Greater Springfield, 275 Chestnut Street, Springfield.