Eleanor - Burgoyne's Obituary
Eleanor Burgoyne was born on May 26, 1917 in Portland, Oregon to Louis & Hilda Nelson Swan.
She died at her home in St. Helens on June 9, 2007 at the age of 90.
She attended schools at Rose City Park grade school where she was an excellent student and often the teachers pet. She graduated from Grant High School in 1935.
After graduation she worked for Karl Klien Jewelers for a 1.00/day. After a few months she quit to attend Northwetern Business College. She then got a job as a secretary for the State Grand Secretary/Treasurer of the Odd Fellows Lodge.
She met and married Norman on August 14, 1937, they lived in Roseburg and Eugene for a few months and then back to Portland.
In 1939 her husband bought a truckline in Hood River where she ran the office. She was a professional seamstress for 25+ years in St. Helens, she also worked part time for 14 years at the Columbia Co. Tax Department.
She was a member of the Zenith Womens Club for 51 years, serving in all offices including president 4 times. State OFWC Sewing Chairman, sponsored by Berrina Sewing machines; state chairman for community, improvement sponsored by Sears. Member of the State Board for construction of swimming pool for Hillcrest School for Girls in Salem.
Interests included thimble collection of 3000. Loved dangly earring, collection of 200+ since the 1940's. Although she was not a gardener she enjoyed flowers, nature and animals. Especially her black lab "Cinder" a mothers day present from her daughter in the 1960's.
Since 1990 she wrote 4 modern day novels of 800-1000 pages each.
Survivors include: Many Friends, her daughter Elizabeth preceded her in death in 1999 and her husband James in 2006.
Viewing & visitation: 9-5 Monday at Columbia Funeral Home
Funeral Service: Tuesday, 6/19/07 at 2:00 PM at First Lutheran Church-St. Helens.
Committal service & vault interment: Bethany Memorial Cemetery-Warren, OR.
Memorial contributions may be made to the church memorial fund.
Columbia Funeral Home-Directors
She had many friends, young and old, in and out of the area and country.
What’s your fondest memory of Eleanor?
What’s a lesson you learned from Eleanor?
Share a story where Eleanor's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Eleanor you’ll never forget.
How did Eleanor make you smile?