Obituary of Eleanor C. Donnelly

Eleanor Clark Donnelly, 89, of Johnson City, passed away of natural causes on Christmas Day, December 25, 2017 at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Binghamton. She was born August 13, 1928 in Binghamton, NY and was pre deceased by her parents, Ray Sanford and Grace Eva (Heady) Clark of Hillcrest; her sister, Barbara Clark Hunt; a nephew, James R. Hunt; and her husband, Dr. Eugene N. Donnelly. Eleanor is survived by her children: Deborah A. Donnelly (Woodruff) of North Myrtle Beach, SC, Peter C. Donnelly of Lebanon, PA, and Michael W. and his wife, Tricia Murphy Donnelly of Corning, NY; Five beloved grandchildren: Michael S. Woodruff, Alexa A. (Woodruff) and her husband, Robert A. Brady, Nicho las J. Woodruff, Seamus P. Donnelly and Shannon G. Donnelly. She is also survived by Robert M. Metz of PA, whom she loved like a son, and seven nieces and nephews. Eleanor graduated from Port Dickinson School and Binghamton North High School. She received her bachelor degree, cum laude, from Cortland State Teachers College in 1950 where she was president of Sigma, Sigma, Sigma Sorority, co-editor of the college senior yearbook and inducted into Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities. She was an elementary teacher at Horace Mann School in Binghamton for a short period of time before her children were born. Eleanor held many officer positions in the Binghamton Dental Auxiliary Society, was co-founder and president of the Hillcrest Garden Club and taught CCD at St. Vincent de Paul Church. She was an active member of The Daughters of the American Revolution, Tuscarora Chapter and she was also a Mayflower Descendant. Family and friends meant everything to Eleanor ("Ellie"). Some called her "God's angel on earth". She was the kindest, loving mother and her smiling face will be greatly missed by all. Eleanor was known for her outstanding baking abilities, especially her apple pies. She would do anything for anybody and was always there to lend her support to friends and family alike. Eleanor was a longtime resident of Hillcrest. She and her family moved to Vestal, NY in 1967. Summers spent on Lake Harmony, PA, at her cottage at Split Rock Lodge, were happy family times for over 50 years. A Funeral Mass will be offered at St. Vincent de Paul Blessed Sacrament Church, Clubhouse Road, Vestal, Saturday at 9:30 a.m. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Johnson City. The family will receive friends at the J.A. McCormack Sons Funeral Home, 141 Main Street, Binghamton, Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. Memorial contributions in Eleanor's name may be made to The Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org) or Catholic Charities of Broome County, 232 Main St., Binghamton, NY 13905.