Eleanore Lawlor

West Hartford-ELEANORE M. LAWLOR, a Mercy Associate, died Saturday (December 14, 2013) at St. Mary Home.

A native of Naugatuck, Eleanore was one of 13 children born to John and Mary (Whitelaw) Lawlor on August 24, 1915. She attended St. Francis School in Naugatuck and Naugatuck High School. For 12 years Eleanore was employed in the dietary department of St. Francis Hospital before beginning training at St. Agnes Home as a pediatric and maternity nurse. Her training was put to use early as a nanny for young children, several of whom remained close to her throughout her life, and later at the opposite end of the spectrum - with the elderly and sick at St. Mary Home in West Hartford. Eleanore is considered the Connecticut Sisters of Mercy's first Associate Member, long before Mercy Association was formalized. She lived with the sisters at Mercyknoll Convent, working the 11-7 shift from the day Mercyknoll opened in 1960, and in her retirement continued serving with the sisters until it closed in 2006 when she moved with them to St. Mary Convent in Newington. In the spirit of Catherine McAuley who founded the Sisters of Mercy, Eleanore's generosity and concern for others extended to a lifetime of service to the poor as well as the sick. She was a volunteer at the School for the Blind and a driver for senior citizens. For thirteen years she helped serve meals to the homeless at St. Elizabeth House and was an active member of Circle of Friends, a ministry of support to women with HIV/AIDS and their children.

Eleanore is predeceased by 10 siblings; she is survived by her sister Madeline Lawlor and her brother Thomas Lawlor, both of Naugatuck; and many nieces, nephews, friends and her extended family, the Sisters of Mercy.

Calling hours will be held from 4:00-6:00 PM on Thursday, December 19, 2013 in the chapel at St. Mary Home, 2021 Albany Ave., West Hartford. Eleanore’s life will be celebrated with a Mass of the Resurrection at St. Mary Home on Friday at 10:00 AM. Burial will follow at St. James Cemetery in Naugatuck. Buckmiller Funeral Home, 82 Fairview Ave, Naugatuck has care of arrangements.

Eleanore requests that any donations in her memory be made to the Sisters of Mercy, 55 East Cedar St, Newington 06111.