Eleanor W. Bullard

Eleanor W. Bullard, 86, of St. Augustine, Fla., passed away Aug. 13, 2012, at the Bailey Family Center for Caring, surrounded by her family. Family and friends called her Elly; she was also known as "Good Ole Mom," a name first bestowed on her by her eldest son.

Born in Utica, N.Y., in 1925, Elly grew up in Belmont, Mass. She always spoke fondly of summers spent with her grandparents at their farm in Alfred, Maine. She attended business school at Bryant & Stratton in Boston, Mass., after which she moved to Columbus, Ohio, with the Christian Endeavor organization. She married Robert H. Bullard, "Bob," in Columbus, Ohio, in 1948, after a courtship sparked by their chance encounter at a local dance. After their marriage, Bob decided to make the U.S. Army his career. He reenlisted, and before long he had orders to go to Occupied Japan. Elly went home to Belmont for the birth of their first child, then crossed the country with their four-month-old daughter to board a military transport ship to be reunited with her husband.

That was the beginning of a life full of travel to new places and many new friends. Other children were born into the family in Tokyo, Japan; State College, Penn; Seattle, Wash; and Taipei, Taiwan. Army assignments also took Elly to Eatontown, N.J., Springfield, Va., Falls Church, Va., and Reston, Va. Elly remained in Reston, Va., following Col. Bullard"s retirement from the U.S. Army in 1969.

In 1972, Elly, Bob, and their two youngest daughters moved to Surry, Maine. Elly helped refurbish a 100-year old Cape Cod home, plant and harvest a one-acre garden and care for chickens, pigs, and geese. After cooking on a wood-fired stove, canning preserves, and seven rewarding years volunteering at the town library, Elly took to the road as a "snow bird." She and Bob traveled wherever their fancy lured them. After a few years of RV adventures, Elly and Bob settled down in Arizona, and later shared a 19th floor apartment-with-a-view in San Antonio, Texas. Elly stayed on in San Antonio after Bob"s passing in 2000, with the dear friends she had made.

Deciding to be closer to her youngest daughter, she moved to The Pavilion in St. Augustine, Fla., in 2009. She took on the name Elly Mae, quickly made new friends, touched many lives and participated in community activities. Throughout her life, Elly enjoyed working as a library aide with young children, singing in choirs with her lovely alto voice, playing the piano, doing needlework, and especially making new friends. She was also an avid bird lover. She will be remembered by her family for her gentle spirit, lilting voice and loving devotion Ñ and by her friends for her sweet and genuine nature.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Col. Robert H. Bullard, U.S. Army Retired, and one son, Robert Bullard. She is survived by her three daughters, Nancy Bullard of Bedminster, N.J., Miriam Bullard of Port Charlotte, Fla., and Ginny Bullard of St. Augustine, Fla; one son, Alan Bullard of Carnation, Wash; one sister, Carolyn Scott of Alfred, Maine; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and one granddoggy.

Private services will be held. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor"s choice.

St. Johns Family Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.