BRUNSWICK — Eleanor Allyn Birkinbine Marcy died June 24 at Bodwell Unit at MidCoast Senior Health Center in Brunswick at age 97, as a result of a fall a week earlier.
She was born March 2 1919, the first child of H. Gregory and Frances (Steen) Allyn.
She graduated from Smith College in 1941 with a major in Zoology.
She continued her education with two years of nursing training at Children’s Hospital in Boston Mass.before marrying John L Birkinbine in 1943. After the war they moved to Framingham Mass and raised their five children.
She was very active in her church, singing in the choir, involved in women’s Circles, chairing women’s fellowship, and serving on many committees. She was a volunteer driver for Red Cross patients who needed rides to and from treatments in Boston. She was married to John for 48 busy and happy years and raised her five children with endless love, patience and humor.
After John died, she married H. Tyler Marcy and enjoyed an additional 22 happy years that were filled with laughter, travel, volunteering with Hospice and gardening. A bonus was gaining five stepchildren for whom she cared dearly.
Eleanor was predeceased by her parents, her brothers, Harry, Bob and Herman Allyn, a daughter, Mary Ellen Birkinbine Smith, and a granddaughter, Sandy Smith.
She leaves her children John Birkinbine Jr. (Sarah) of Northfield Ill,, Marjorie Birkinbine and Frannie Welch of Brunswick, Catherine Birkinbine (Jim Bloxsom) of Orr’s Island, and her sister Margaret Sammons of Orr’s Island, grandchildren Kristen Kelley, Chris Smith, Jonathan, Catherine and Andrew Welch, and Kyle Birkinbine, Amy and Wesley Bloxsom, her great grandchildren Ryan and Erin Kelly, Ava and Aiden Smith and Robert Gregory Welch, her stepchildren Carol, Barbara, Starfeather, Jane and Allan Marcy, and many nieces and nephews.
Eleanor’s family wishes to sincerely thank all the wonderful caretakers from the Garden, MidCoast Hospital, Bodwell and CHANS Hospice who helped lovingly make her final weeks more comfortable.
If desired, donations could be made to Hospice of CHANS, Brunswick ME. To leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit www.brackettfuneralhome.com.
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