ELEANOR B. "ELLY" HASKELL

1935 - 2023

HASKELL, Eleanor "Elly" B. (Riordan) Of Needham, age 88, passed away peacefully, at home, on Thursday, August 24, with her adoring husband, George F., formerly of Jamaica Plain, by her side. Elly, the youngest of five children, was born in Worcester, MA, on August 12, 1935 to Irish immigrants, Patrick J. and Margaret M. (Morrissey) Riordan of County Cork, Ireland. After graduating from Ascension High School in Worcester, Elly went on to receive her Bachelor's degree and her Master's Degree in Education from Worcester State Teachers College. She then became a fourth grade teacher, first in Worcester and, after she married, in Needham. Known for her gorgeous handwriting, she returned to teach penmanship in the Needham Elementary schools after her children were grown. Her love of education, and especially reading, stayed with her throughout her life and she was always encouraging her grandchildren to read. Elly loved the beach, sunshine and Cape Cod. In 1962, Elly was working a summer job in Falmouth, MA, when she met George at The Hunt Club. They married in 1964 and went on to build their lives in Needham, MA, where they had four children and became beloved and active members of the community. Elly was very social and thoroughly enjoyed her time spent with her many friends in her Bridge group, Lunch Bunch, Book clubs, Mahjong group and tennis club. She also remained very close with her dear childhood friends from Worcester. Elly is survived by her husband, George; her children, Patrick J. and his wife, Margaret Rimmler of Scituate, MA, Tara Kilgarriff and her husband, Tom of Westwood, MA, George "Chris" of Ramsey, NJ and Susan Greene and her husband, Felimy of Singapore; as well as eleven grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Visiting Hours will be Tuesday, August 29, from 4:00 to 7:00pm, at George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 1305 Highland Ave., NEEDHAM. The Funeral will be Wednesday, August 30, with a Mass at 11:00am, at St. Joseph's Church, 1302 Highland Ave., Needham. Interment will follow at Mount Benedict Cemetery in West Roxbury, MA. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Worcester State University, www.worcester.edu in her memory. For directions and online condolences, please visit www.gfdoherty.com George F. Doherty & Sons Needham 781 444 0687