Eleanor Ashforth Harvey, 87 of Mystic, CT died on March 9, 2013. She was predeceased by Eldon Harvey, Jr., her husband of 48 years. She was born in New York City, the daughter of Henry Adams Ashforth and Elizabeth Milbank Ashforth. She spent her childhood in Manhattan, NY, Greenwich, CT, and Deering, NH and graduated from Miss Porter’s School and Vassar College, class of 1946.
A vivacious and energetic person, as a young woman Eleanor did sales work at Albert B. Ashforth, Inc., the New York real estate firm founded in 1896 by her grandfather. Concurrently she was a vice-president and director (1946-1970) of the Judson Health Center, a community health center founded by her grandmother, Dr. Eleanor Campbell, and allied with the Judson Memorial Church, Washington Square.
After her marriage she resided in Rumson, NJ, where she raised four children. Among other activities she enjoyed tennis, sailing and gardening, and served as president of the Rumson Garden Club. In 1970 she and her husband moved to Stonington, CT, where her primary interests became the Alumnae Association Board of Miss Porter’s School (president), the Alumni Presidents Council for Independent Schools (president), the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut (Trustee), Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Connecticut (president), Planned Parenthood League of Connecticut (director), and the Calvary Episcopal Church, Stonington (vestry). For 65 years she served as a director of Ashforth Properties, Inc. of Stamford, CT. Always interested in both world and local affairs, she remained a staunch supporter of education throughout her life.
She was predeceased by her brother, Henry A. Ashforth, Jr. of Greenwich, CT, and her step-brother, Michael Madden. She is survived by her children H. Darrell Harvey of Darien, CT; Elizabeth H. Adams of Arlington, VA; Robert E. Harvey of New York, NY; Peter A. Harvey of Stonington, CT; her half-brother Alden B. Ashforth of New Orleans, LA; her half-sister Marna A. Geoffroy of Santa Cruz, CA; her step-sister Christina M. Whitman of New York, NY; her step-brother Peter Madden; eleven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Community Foundation Harvey Family Scholarship for disadvantaged students, 147 State St., New London, CT 06320; or Planned Parenthood of Southern New England.
A celebration of her life will be held at Calvary Church, 27 Church Street, Stonington, CT at 11:00 a.m. on March 23, 2013.
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