Eleanor R. Spinney
SOUTH PORTLAND – Eleanor R. Spinney, 101, passed away on March 3, 2021 at her home in South Portland. She was born on Oct. 3, 1919, the daughter of William and Irene (Walsh) Randall in Portland. Eleanor lost both her parents at a very young age and was raised by her aunt and uncle in Lewiston, and graduated from Lewiston High School in 1937.
Eleanor was a member of United Baptist Church and worked as a waitress at Bates College during the summer while attending school. She lived in Freeport for a period while caring for her grandmother and obtaining her CRMA license in nursing.
She married Donald Keith and lived in Pownal where she began to raise her family. She worked at Maine General Hospital and Mercy Hospital as a nursing assistant and CNA. She spent some time working at St. Mary’s Hospital before moving back to North Yarmouth. Spending the next 23 years at Pineland as a psychiatric aide and then working in group homes until the age of 88.
Eleanor was remarried to a musician, Samuel Spinney, and spent the remainder of her life with him until his passing in 1983. She was awarded numerous awards during her nursing career but was most proud of the award for caring for 100 children in one building over her working years. Eleanor really enjoyed music, dancing, and traveling in her spare time.
Eleanor was predeceased by her parents; her husband; and four children, Robert Anson Keith, Roy Keith, Ronald Keith, and Walter Spinney.
She is survived by daughter, Constance and her husband Benjamin Welch of North Yarmouth, William Sr. and his wife Mary Keith of Gray, Cindy and her husband David Croxford of Gorham; 17 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and 17 great-great-grandchildren; her daughters-in-law, Sandra Keith and Dorothy Keith.
The family invites you to a time of visitation on Monday March 8, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. followed by a Celebration of Life at 3 p.m. at Jones, Rich and Barnes Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St., Portland. The burial will take place in the spring at Riverside Cemetery in Yarmouth. The Celebration of Life will be lived streamed for anyone that is not able to attend by going to http://www.jonesrichandbarnes.com where you can also leave your memories and condolences.
The family would like to thank Dina, Lindsey and the staff at Beacon Hospice, as well as, Cindy Levesque for the excellent care they provided to their mother.
All COVID guidelines will be followed and all attendees will be required to wear a mask and social distance while in the building.
Eleanor R. Spinney
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