Eleanor S. Thomas, 87
Dateline: Norton, MA
Eleanor (Shuttleworth) Thomas, 87, of Norton passed away on Sunday May 31, 2009 at the Golden Living Center-Garden Place in Attleboro. She was the beloved wife of the late Elton K. Thomas who died in 1960.
Born in the Saylesville section of Lincoln, Rhode Island on March 15, 1922 she was a dear daughter of the late Frank and Ruth A. (Garner) Shuttleworth.
Eleanor grew up in Lincoln and was educated in Pawtucket schools. Following graduation she furthered her studies to become a graduate of Leslie College in Boston. Mrs. Thomas was a retired Librarian and had worked for over 15 years at the L.G. Nourse Elementary School in Norton prior to retiring.
Her main stay was her faith in the Lord and she was an active member of the Trinitarian Congregational Church in Norton for over 60 years. She served as a Sunday School Superintendent, sang in the church choir, when needed served as a substitute organist, directed the Jr. Choir and played in the hand bell choir for many years. She was active in the Prayer Shawl Ministry and was a member of the Ratcliffe Guild, the Whats-So-Ever Club and the Lunch Bunch.
In the 1960’s, following the tragic death her husband and son she was very instrumental in a major renovation project at the church. She helped oversee the addition of Sunday school classrooms, the church parlor and fellowship hall, complete with a kitchen. “Sweet Hall” was attached to its original building to where it stands today.
A resident of Norton for over 60 years, Eleanor enjoyed painting, tole painting being her favorite. She was also an avid knitter, enjoyed playing and teaching piano and playing the accordion. Mrs. Thomas was a former Girl Scout leader and led many Norton girls from the starting point of a brownie to becoming a full fledged senior Girl Scout. She loved children and had donated over 200 hand made baby booties and hats for newborns at Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro. Her proudest accomplishments were the ways in which she raised her devoted sons as a single mother and reaching out and helping other children in many different ways.
She is survived her loving sons Andrew K. Thomas and his wife Catherine of Winter garden, Florida, Timothy A. Thomas and his wife Joyce of Creedmoor, North Carolina, Stephen P. Thomas and his wife Barbara of Norton and the late Peter K. Thomas who passed away in 1960. She was the sister of the late Edith Bruce and is also survived by her cherished 6 grandchildren.
Memorial services, to which relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend, will be held on Sunday June 28th at 9:30 A.M. in the Trinitarian Congregational Church, East main and Pine Streets, Norton. Burial will be held privately at the Norton Center Cemetery in Norton.
Visiting hours have been omitted and Eleanor’s family has requested that in lieu of flowers donations in her memory be hade to the Trinitarian Congregational Church Memorial Fund P.O. Box 2068 Norton, MA 02766.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of the Norton Memorial Funeral Home 19 Clapp St. Norton, for additional information please visit www.nortonmemorial.com