Eleanor Thayer

Eleanor Thayer, age 97, a lifelong resident of Newton, MA died Peacefully on Sunday, June 6, 2021 after a brief illness at Mount St. Rita Health Centre in Cumberland R.I. She had relocated to Cumberland in April. Eleanor was born in Newton and lived in West Newton until moving to Auburndale in 1959. Eleanor loved her little house and the wonderful neighborhood of the Islington peninsula until she had to leave due to health reasons in 2014. From childhood well through adulthood Eleanor would spend as much time as possible at the family cottages on Gallops Hill in Hull, MA. Eleanor loved to socialize informally and could often be seen around the Auburndale area whether she was out strolling or driving. She was the daughter of the late Alfred and Jennie (Ross) Thayer and younger sister to Barbara (Thayer) O'Connor. Eleanor was Aunt to Ruth O'Connor and partner Ricki Monnier, William O'Connor and partner Susan McIntosh, Kevin and his wife Robin, Alan and his wife Regina and Carol O'Connor. Great Aunt to 6 nieces and nephews and Great Grand Aunt to 6 children. Eleanor attended Newton public schools and then continued her education at Massachusetts School of Art (Mass Art). Upon completing her art training, she went to work for D.C. Heath Publishing (Raytheon) (Houghton Mifflin) in the art department for textbooks. Eleanor worked her entire career there retiring in 1988. After retirement she enjoyed taking drawing and painting classes at various institutions and as an active member in the GFWC Womens Club of Newton Highlands, MA. Eleanor will be fondly remembered as the "fun" aunt taking her nieces and nephews on rides in her Chevy Corvair, camping trips, her pets, dogs and cats, Dairy Queen stops on the way home from Hull. A Service of Remembrance was held at the Burke and Blackington Funeral Home, West Newton, on Saturday June 12, 2021. Donations in Eleanor's memory may be made to Seaside Hull Animal Rescue, 487 Nantasket Ave. Hull, MA 02045. For an online guestbook visit BurkeFamilyFuneral Homes.com.