Eleanor “Ellie” B. French, 92, passed away peacefully Wednesday March 13, 2013 at The Woodlawn Care Center in Newport NH.

She was born July 12, 1920 in Claremont, NH, the daughter of Duane M. Banister and Beatrice S. Banister (Blood). Eleanor was raised on Mulberry St. and attended the Bluff & Way Elementary Schools. She graduated from Stevens High School in 1938 and the Traphagen School of Design in New York City in 1940. Eleanor was the widow of Bud French whom she married on April 4^th, 1942. They raised their family and resided on the River Road in North Charlestown for over 63 years. Eleanor was a homemaker with brief employment at Jones and Lamson (J&L) in Springfield, VT and the Bush Music Store in Claremont, NH. She was an active member of St Luke’s Episcopal Church in Charlestown, NH for 60 years. For the past several years she has attended the North Charlestown United Methodist Church. Eleanor belonged to the North Charlestown Mother’s Club and was also one of the first guides and Craft Demonstrator at Fort #4 in Charlestown. Eleanor was a talented artist and avid rug hooker. She designed many of her rugs to represent her life and family. She belonged to the Happy Hookers Group that met weekly to enjoy their friendships and the art of hooking. Over the years, Eleanor and Bud traveled to Florida, Hawaii, Virginia, Bermuda, Colorado, and Tennessee. Her favorite destination was the coast of Maine with family and friends.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Woodlawn for their kindness and loving care shown to Eleanor.

The family includes one daughter, Susan E. Weeks and her husband, Raymond of North Charlestown, NH; two sons, Lawrence French and his wife Susanne of Sunapee, NH and Thomas French of North Charlestown, NH; a son-in-law, George Pebbles and wife, Bobbi of Charlestown, NH; nine grandchildren; four great grandchildren; also several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl S. “Bud” French in 2005; her daughter, Deborah Nan Pebbles in 1999 and a brother, Howard Banister.

There will be a celebration of Eleanor’s life at the North Charlestown United Methodist Church on Saturday, March 23^rd at 11:00 A.M. with Pastor Clint Brake officiating.
 

A graveside service for Eleanor “Ellie” French who died on March 13, 2013 will be held at Hope Hill Cemetery in Charlestown on Saturday, May 25^th at 11:00AM with Clint Brake officiating.