Eleanor Lou Gleason McAllister, 87, of Union, passed away peacefully March 20 at her home. She was surrounded by her loving family.
A kind and caring woman who always had a smile on her face, Ellie touched the hearts of many people, bringing love, joy, laughter and friendship to their lives. She will be remembered for her love of life: rock collecting expeditions on Campobello, enjoying late-night Celtics games, playing Beano and attending lawn sales with her sister, Dot, playing card games with “the girls,” traveling to places near and far, and enjoying quiet times at home watching her birds.
Ellie was born on Gleason Hill in Union on March 24, 1921, the daughter of the late William and Margaret Thurston Gleason. She graduated from Union High School, Class of 1938, and the University of Maine, Class of 1942, with a degree in home economics. She worked as a dietician at the Maine Eye and Ear Infirmary in Portland.
Ellie and Howard (Eddie) McAllister were married on June 18, 1944. They made their home in South Union where they raised their family.
Ellie spent ten years as an attendant at the Seven Tree Manor and at Fairwinds Boarding Home. She was a member of the Storer Collins Harding Auxiliary Post #110 and Union Senior Citizens, as well as an active volunteer at the Thompson Community Center.
She was predeceased by her husband, Howard McAllister; sister, Dorothy Peckham; and grandson, Todd Richardson.
Survivors include her brothers, William Gleason and wife Rosalie of Appleton, and Richard Gleason and wife Bernice of Union and Florida; children, Patricia Burns and husband Richard of Friendship, Margaret Richardson of Union, Linda McAllister of Union, and Michael McAllister and wife Patricia of Union and Florida; grandchildren, Kimberly Harrington and husband Eugene of Friendship, Melissa Wirth and husband Matthew of Buxton, Lisa Burns of River Falls, Wis., Lori Blake and husband Steven of Portland, Megan Marquis of Thomason, Decha Bailey and husband Adam of Brewer, and Mark McAllister and wife Stefanie of Washington; great-grandchildren, Travis Harrington of Friendship, Maxwell and Colby Wirth of Buxton, Lexington and Amiah Marquis of Thomaston, Taygan McAllister of Thomaston, and Luke and Jack Stang of River Falls, Wis.; dear niece, Susan Clark; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation 6-8 p.m., Tues., March 24 at Hall Funeral Home, 949 Main St., Waldoboro. Celebration of Eleanor’s life 11 a.m., Wed., March 25 at Hall Funeral Home.
If friends should so desire, memorial donations in Eleanor’s memory may be made to Kno-Wal-Lin Hospice, 170 Pleasant St., Rockland, ME 04841, or to Meals on Wheels, 39 Summer St., Rockland, ME 04841.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 949 Main St., Waldoboro.