Obituary : Eleanor (Thurber) Eglinas
Eleanor "Ellie" (Thurber) Eglinas died peacefully on Thursday morning, Nov. 6, at her home on Pennsylvania Avenue in Oak Bluffs following a sudden illness.
Ellie was born September 26, 1946 in Oak Bluffs Leona (Smith) White of Oak Bluffs and the late Adelburt E. Thurber.
She attended Oak Bluffs Elementary School and graduated in 1964 from Martha's Vineyard Regional High School. In her final days, she enjoyed visits from many of her fellow classmates and friends while being cared for by her mother Leona, her daughter Mary Beth, and Mary Beth's sister-in-law and family friend Bobbie Baptiste Donovan. Her spirit lifted and carried on a special eagle feather sent from Alaska, a special gift from her long-time friend Eleanor (Francis) Hebert.
Following high school, Ellie went on to work as a bookkeeper for 28 years at R. M. Packer Company. She spent two years at Coastal Oil Company and the past decade working for Walter Smith Plumbing and Heating before she left due to her illness.
She was a member of the American Legion in Vineyard Haven.
Ellie took great pride in decorating and caring for her home and enjoyed all the yard work that went with it, which is evident in the beautiful landscaping and trees that she cared for. Her friends remarked how she was always professionally well dressed throughout her career. She loved country music and entertaining friends on the weekends. She spent her winter vacations traveling with family and friends, on long three-day weekends, Caribbean cruises and going to Aruba every January.
Most of all, she loved her family and extended family, and her many friends who have been dear for decades. She immensely cared about everyone in return, simply having fun and enjoying life.
Ellie is survived by her beloved daughter Mary Beth Baptiste and her fiancé Pierre Bourgault, by her mother Mrs. Leona (Smith) White and her step-father Lester White of Oak Bluffs, her brothers Adelburt Eugene Thurber and Antone L. White, her former husband and best friend Walter "Terry" Eglinas, two nephews, Christopher Thurber and James White, two nieces, Heather White and Heidi White, her uncle Elisha Smith, and her dear family friend Bobbie Donovan. She will be missed by her dog Buffy - her constant companion.
A graveside service was held on Saturday, Nov. 8, at the Smith Cemetery in Oak Bluffs, officiated by Reverend Roger H. Spinney.
Donations in memory of Ellie may be made to the Martha's Vineyard Cancer Support Group, P.O. Box 2214, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568.
Arrangements were under the care of Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road, Oak Bluffs. Please visit ccgfuneralhome.com for the online guest book and information.
