Post a reply || Back to NFA Class Memorial Page..

Elinor Mae Brooker Johanson - Class of 1931

Submitted by Fran Olson Gustafson 1965 <fgustafson917@gmail.com> on 31/Aug/2015

    Elinor Mae Brooker Johanson died peacefully at home on August 29, 2015 in the Town of Newburgh. She had celebrated her 101st birthday on June 25. Born in Newburgh, NY, Elinor graduated as valedictorian from Newburgh Free Academy in 1931. She attended the Eastman School of Business in Poughkeepsie. Oftentimes she ran or slid down 2nd Street to catch the Newburgh Beacon Ferry and then the train to Poughkeepsie. In 1935 she traveled by rail to Washington, DC to become Personal Secretary to the General Counsel of Securities and Exchange Commission. One of the high points of that position, she related, was the Secretaries' Tea with Eleanor Roosevelt in the White House Rose Garden. In 1939 she married Herbert Daniel Johanson (he predeceased her in 1990). They returned to the Newburgh area in 1950. Elinor was one of the first three female insurance adjustors in NYS and worked for W.A. Volpe & Co. She was a past member of the Board of Trustees for Johnes Home in Newburgh and at 86 learned computer skills so she could publish a newsletter for the residents there. For over 60 years she was an active member of the Trinity United Methodist Parish in the Town of Newburgh. [presiding over the Women's Group, working on church suppers and fairs and ringing in the Handbell Choir until age 97.] Elinor and Herb were among the first drivers for the Newburgh Meals on Wheels program. Elinor lived her life in service and love for family, church and community. The family greatly appreciates her caregivers Lydia, Salisha, Ruth, Cathy and Becca. Their loving care made it possible for her to remain at home to enjoy her garden and songbirds from her rocker on the patio. Elinor's five children- Jean Hyatt and husband Harold of Wappingers Falls, Daniel and his wife Claire of Chatham, NY, Barbara Colandrea of Newburgh, Theodore and his wife Nancy of Cincinnati, OH and James and his wife Maria of Old Chatham, NY; her grandchildren- David and his wife Jenepher, John and his wife Robbin, Janet and her husband John, Christian and his wife Tamara, Anna and partner Tim, 3ric, Aaron and his fiancée Erica, Peter and his wife Heather, Rachel and Jonathan; and great grandchildren soon to number eleven, nieces, nephews and friends remain to "remember the best times, the laughter, the song. The good life [she] lived....." Elinor's family respectfully requests in lieu of flowers, that memorial donations be made to Habitat for Humanity of greater Newburgh {Methodist Build}; Meals on Wheels of Newburgh or the Trinity Methodist Parish. Relatives and friends are invited to join the family in celebrating her life at a graveside service at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Middle Hope on September 3, 2015 at 2:00pm with Pastor John Williams officiating. It was Elinor's wish that bright colors be worn to her service. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Carl J. DiDonato, Jr. of the DiDonato Funeral Service, Inc. (845) 236-4300, www.didonatofuneralservice.com - See more at: http://didonatofuneralservice.com/tribute/details/274/Elinor_Brooker_Johanson/obituary.html#tribute-start

Replies to this post

No replies yet