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Eleanor Minear

Eleanor Minear

Eleanor Frances (Melrose) Minear, 90, of Vienna, was welcomed into God’s embrace on Friday, Feb. 24, 2017.

She was born on June 7, 1926, in Parkersburg, W.Va., the daughter of the late Clarence H. and Nancy Stukey Melrose.

In her passing, Eleanor rejoined the love of her life and husband of 70 years, the late William A. (Bill) Minear, who reached out his hand to guide her to their forever. With him, she raised their family of six children, Wm. Michael Minear (Debby), James L. Minear (Karin), the late Richard E. Minear (Arlene), Judith C. Minear, CSJ, William A. Minear II (Beth) and the late David M. Minear (Melinda). Along with the forgoing, she is survived by her sister, Juanita Kirby of Brandon, Fla.; 13 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her sisters, Eva Post and E. Delores Lee; and her brothers, John Edwin Melrose, James “Pete” Melrose and Clarence H. Melrose Jr.

Eleanor was a graduate of Parkersburg High School, after which she worked at W.T. Grant Co. She met Bill, marrying him following his military service, and they settled in Parkersburg to start their family. Although six children in 10 years may have daunted many, Eleanor proclaimed the early, rowdy years as the best of her life, cherishing the “pointy knees and elbows” whose owners climbed into her lap. That boundless love spilled over to each Minear generation, as she remained enthralled by each new addition. She was a perfect mother-in-law, always available for advice, but waiting until advice was solicited to dispense it.

Eleanor was an accomplished cook and consummate hostess, welcoming guests to their home with warmth and grace. Guests popping in would be amazed as she could pull more delicious surprises from her kitchen than Mary Poppins from her carpet-bag. Eleanor’s meat salad was the stuff of legend among her children and their friends, with neither her daughter nor daughters-in-law ever able to harness her magic. She was a voracious reader and kept up in the latest mysteries until the last year of her life. A lady ahead of her time, in her 80s, Eleanor switched from hard copies to digital, and would download her reading to her iPad.

Eleanor had elected cremation and the family has entrusted her care to Leavitt Funeral Services and Crematory. The family is postponing services at this time, as a celebration of both Eleanor and Bill is being planned for a future date. Until then, the family is comforted by and rejoicing in their reunion.