Eleanor Louise Donnelly

Eleanor Louise Donnelly, 82, of Oak Park, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 1, 2024, with her daughter Sheila holding her hand.

She was born to the late James and Eleanor Donnelly in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 14, 1941.

As a young woman, Eleanor was called to nursing with a full scholarship to the Philadelphia Episcopal Hospital School of Nursing. Upon graduation, she worked as the head nurse at the Eastern Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute and then moved to Buffalo, NY, where she became the head psychiatric nurse at Buffalo State Hospital.

Her thirst for knowledge could not be quenched, and she went on to earn her B.S. in Nursing from D'Youville College, an M.S. in Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing as well as an M.A. in Cultural Anthropology both from the State University of New York at Buffalo and capped it off with a Ph.D. in Cultural Anthropology also from SUNY at Buffalo. These degrees culminated in a 30-year career as a Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing professor at IUPUI's School of Nursing in Indianapolis, IN.

In addition to her robust academic life, Eleanor became an accomplished horsewoman, voracious reader, amateur photographer, skier, birdwatcher, movie buff, and a true animal lover. She had many beloved pets over her lifetime; her dog Trouper, horse Mouse, and turtle Party Girl still thrive in her significant absence.

Eleanor enjoyed The Rolling Stones, Irish literature, Margaret Atwood, NPR, Gilbert & Sullivan operettas, Bushmills Irish whisky, Bill Nighy, carousels, dragon rolls, Smithwick's, Muhammad Ali, butter (the more, the better), scones, a perfect cup of Earl Grey tea with (real) cream and a good lie-in. Oh, and she never met a sweet she didn't like.

Eleanor is survived by her daughter, Sheila Dougherty; favorite son-in-law, Bill Rohlfing; granddaughter, Ellery; sister, Elizabeth Donnelly (Jack Van Wyck); and sisters-in-law, Mary Anne and Maria Donnelly.

Preceding her in death were her parents and her two younger brothers, George and James Donnelly.

In the days prior to her death, Eleanor wanted for nothing. She often said, "I've done everything I've wanted to do, and I've had a good life." It was awe-inspiring, much like her life.

A memorial service is planned for June 8, 2024 in Oak Park, IL.