Eleanor (Gilliams) Donall, 91 years of age, formerly of Springfield, PA (Delaware County), went Home to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 while under the loving care of her family and caregivers.
She was born on Saturday, August 13, 1932 and grew up in Oakmont and Havertown, PA. Eleanor was the only child of the late Francis and Helen Gilliams. After attending and graduating magna cum laude from Bucknell College in 1954, she married her college sweetheart, Robert L. Donall, on April 16, 1955. They celebrated 65 devoted years of marriage before he passed away on December 4, 2020.
After college, Eleanor worked as a chemist for Atlantic Richfield Company until she became a mother in 1959, then did an extraordinary job as a homemaker for her beloved family. Eleanor and Bob faithfully attended the Blue Church of Springfield for over 50 years until they moved to Tel Hai Retirement Community in Honey Brook in 2014. Eleanor served the Lord by volunteering in many areas at church including Pioneer Girls and VBS. She and Bob were a team volunteering at JAARS (Wycliffe) in N.C., doing taxes for AARP for many years, working in the kitchen for Pioneer Girl retreats and driving friends to OWLS’ (Older Wiser Loving Saints) functions.
Eleanor was quiet and reserved but had strength of character and mind. She enjoyed sewing, crafts, gardening, sailing, and traveling with Bob. They saw many parts of the world and the country together. They especially enjoyed their peaceful summer cottage in Island Heights, NJ and just being home in Springfield.
She is survived and deeply missed by her daughters, Marjorie (Kevin) Lapp of Kendall, NY, Evelyn (Georg) Grell of Golden, CO, and Patricia (Rod) Kalbfleisch of Southington, CT. She also leaves behind seven grandchildren- Kristen (Mark) Thomas, Jonathan (Emily) Lapp, Erika (Jason) Waddles, Timothy (Katie) Kalbfleisch, Robert (Dianne) Kalbfleisch, George Grell, and Andreas Grell. Also, six great grandchildren- Adelyn, Elaina, Jonathan, Perry, Mitchell and Greyson, a niece, Laura Suydam and two nephews, George Suydam and William Donall.
We mourn, but not as those who have no hope. (I Thess. 4:13)
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 26, 2023, at 11:30 AM at The Blue Church, 940 Baltimore Pike, Springfield, PA 19064, with Pastor Robert Ladonne officiating. For directions to the church, please visit www.bluechurch.org
A private interment will be held at Westminster Cemetery in Bala Cynwyd.
Memorial contributions may be made in Eleanor’s memory to the Blue Church at the above address or Hospice of Orleans, 14080 State Rt 31, Albion, NY 14411 (who helped with her care during her final days on earth.)
Arrangements were made by Fowler Funeral Home of Brockport, NY and The Labs Funeral Home, Inc. of Honey Brook, PA.
For additional information and online condolences, please visit www.thelabsfh.com.