Eleanor Ruth Rea

Eleanor (Elly) Ruth Rea of Hannibal, NY, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Friday morning at her home in Columbus, OH, on October 17th, 2025, one month shy of her 74th birthday, and 5 days short of her 47th wedding anniversary. She endured a decade of battles with multiple cancers and always bounced back. When cancer returned this time, though, despite the toll it took, she faced it with the same grace, courage, and humor that defined her life. Her cancer treatments extended her life long enough to participate in both of her daughters' weddings, dote on her cherished grandson, and travel.

She was born on November 16, 1951, in Syracuse, NY, the fifth of seven children of William James Doyle and Eleanor Ruth Doyle, nee Sunheimer. She grew up in and raised her family in Hannibal, NY, and retired from the Hannibal Central School District after 30 years of driving school bus.

Because of her outgoing and nurturing personality, she was a natural at hosting parties and making everyone feel at home. Elly was a prolific, yet humble, baker and chef who loved sharing dishes of food with her friends and family. Over the years, she won multiple first-place awards in baking competitions for her Irish Soda Bread.

Elly is survived by her loving husband, David, who will miss her spirited navigational advice and running commentary on his driving techniques, and her two daughters, Meaghan, married to Tim Brown, grandson Sebastian, and Ashleigh, married to Scott Farol.

Elly was preceded in death by her parents, and two brothers, Michael and William. Her surviving siblings are Rita Flint (Jack), Martha Sage (Robert), Maureen, and Marjorie Kinville (Steven), as well as a plethora of nieces and nephews.

Viewing services will be held on Thursday, October 23, 2025, from 4-6 pm at Shaw-Davis 4341 N. High Street, Columbus, OH 43214.

Elly's warmth, humor, and generosity touched everyone she met, and her memory will live on in every shared meal, every bargain found, and every act of kindness.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made toward meal delivery services for Dave as he navigates the kitchen without his favorite chef. tinyurl.com/DaveRea