Eleanor R. (Amato) Dillingham

Our beloved Mom, Grandma, and Great Grandma has fallen asleep in the Lord peacefully at the age of 97, leaving behind a lifetime of faith, love, family, and treasured memories.

Eleanor was a faithful Christadelphian, and her faith was a steady and important part of her life. She held dearly to the hope of the resurrection and now sleeps, awaiting that day she is reunited with her faithful family and our Lord Jesus Christ.

She was predeceased by her much-loved husband, Arthur, and her son Mike. (Arthur Jr) She leaves behind her children Jim, Brad and Ellyn along with a whole collection of grandchildren, great grandchildren and even great great grandchildren who were fortunate enough to know her, love her, and occasionally wonder what she was thinking.

Eleanor was a secretary and librarian but is most known as an artist in the last half of her life. She loved flowers and gardens and baking wonderful creations to share with loved ones. She had a creative spirit and a wonderful eye for making things beautiful. She left her own little pieces of beauty behind, just as she left her own unique impression on everyone who knew her.

For the last 20 years of her life, she was lovingly cared for by Ellyn and her husband Gary. They were, without question, her favorites- or at least they earned the title by sticking around for 2 decades! They became her caregivers, companions, protectors and the people who patiently navigated life with Eleanor as dementia gradually changed the world around her.

Eleanor was pleasantly confused, which meant life with her was never entirely predictable. She might remember something from 60 years ago but have absolutely no idea what happened 5 minutes ago. She was wonderfully funny without even trying, and when Arthur was still alive was the straight man to his life of comedy and might have rolled her eyes a time or two.

Underneath it all, throughout her life she was loving, gentle, creative, faithful and determined to keep everyone just a little bit longer. She was often heard saying that she would “keep you another day”.

Those words are especially fitting now, because that is what Eleanor did. She kept us close, she gave us another day, and then another and then another - almost 98 years' worth of days filled with faith, family, art, laughter, and memories.

It is our turn to keep her, where she will remain firmly planted in our hearts, day after day.

Right now, she would probably tell us not to make a fuss, but if you would like to celebrate her wonderful life with us then please join us at the Boston Christadelphian Ecclesia at Stoughton. 48 Freeman St. Stoughton MA on October 17th 1PM for a memorial and a tea party. Because if you knew Eleanor, you knew she loved her cups of tea. And maybe with a cookie or two.

If you are so inclined to donate in her name, then please donate to the Westerly Adult Day Center 5 Union St. Westerly RI 02891. They helped care for her the last 14 years of her life and gave her a place to do some of her favorite things, paint, play word games, and have a cup of tea with caregivers who truly cared for her, especially Lori and Dave.

Family and friends may share memories and condolences at www.gortonmenardfuneralhome.com