Eleanor Clack McCurdy

Eleanor Clack McCURDY Died peacefully February 19, 2004, in Seattle. Born September 26, 1913, in Havre, Montana, to Henry Earl and Margaret Turner Clark, she was one of six children. After graduating from Havre High School, Eleanor attended the University of Washington where she met and married Richard Francis McCurdy, native of Port Townsend, Washington, who became editor and publisher of the Port Townsend Leader newspaper. The family resided in Port Townsend where they became distinguished arts patrons and civic leaders. During her lifetime Eleanor was active in the Dr. Francis Delaney Guild of Children's Hospital, Community Concerts of America, Daughters of the American Revolution, S.L.A., and Alpha Gamma Delta sorority. In later years, she was a strong supporter of Centrum Arts and Jefferson General Hospital where she was memorials chairman for many years. Eleanor will be remembered as an elegant woman and gracious hostess who enjoyed social occasions with her many friends. She loved to read and possessed a remarkable vocabulary, a quick wit and an engaging sense of humor. An extensive traveler, she was proud to have visited most of the world's great art museums. Through her travels she met and enjoyed continuing friendships with people from all parts of the world. We will miss Eleanor and the lively spirit that always accompanied her. Eleanor was predeceased by her husband Richard in 1987, grandson Jason Andrew Lee in 1984, and is survived by sister Margaret Clark Askew Cooper of Memphis, Tennessee and Whitefish, Montana; sister-in-law Barbara McCurdy Hill of Seattle; children Betsy Lee and husband Larry, Catherine Chatalas and husband John Ramsay of Seattle, Richard McCurdy Jr. and wife Mary of Bainbridge Island; grandchildren Charles Lee of Sammamish, WA., Cassandra Lee, Houston, TX., Jody Chatalas and Helen Chatalas, both of Seattle; Winslow McCurdy, Bainbridge Island, Emma McCurdy and Beth McCurdy, London, England. She leaves two great grandsons and numerous nieces and nephews. Eleanor's last year was made comfortable by caregivers Tom and Marisol Kellough. A Memorial Service will be held March 20, 2004, 3:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Port Townsend. Remembrances may be sent to Centrum Arts, P.O. Box 1158, or Jefferson General Hospital, 834 Sheridan Ave., both at Port Townsend, WA. 98368.