Eleanore Swanson

Mrs. Eleanore D. Swanson, age 88, formerly of Fillmore Avenue, Salamanca, New York passed away peacefully surrounded by her daughters Tuesday evening, July 13, 2010 at Olean General Hospital, Olean, New York. After living 83 years in Salamanca, New York, Ellie was a resident of Eden Heights Assisted Living Facility in Olean, New York for several years and had been at The Absolut of Salamanca for the past several months.

Ellie was born on June 23, 1922 in Salamanca, New York. She was the fifth of eight children of the late Michael & Florence Biscup. She was married on November 22, 1945, to Mr. Allen H. Swanson who predeceased her on June 10, 1966.

Ellie’s greatest love was her family and she loved spending holidays with her children, grandchildren, brothers and sisters. She enjoyed traveling, playing cards, knitting, and going to dinner with friends.

She was a 1939 graduate of Salamanca High School and later took classes at St. Bonaventure University. Ellie worked for the Office of Price Administration during WWII, was a manager for the Danahy Faxon Market in Salamanca, New York, served as a Bookkeeper for Hunt Furniture Company of Salamanca and Drew Equipment Company of Little Valley. Following the death of her husband, she was employed as the Business Manager at the former Salamanca District Hospital for seventeen years retiring in 1983. Following her retirement she was the Bookkeeper for her brother, David, owner of Biscup’s True Value Hardware. She also owned and ran her own ceramic business, the Ceramic Cellar, for many years.

Ellie was elected Secretary for the Cattaraugus County Agricultural Society in 1966 and held that position for seven years. She was a charter member of the B.P.O. Does and was past president and Grand Lodge member. She was a former member of the AARP, Interfaith Caregivers, SCOUT, Retired Salamanca Hospital Employees, and Cattaraugus County Genealogical Society. She was a member of the former St. Patrick’s Church and a member of the Altar & Rosary Society for many years.

Surviving are: 2 daughters, Lynne (Richard) Yehl, Laurie (the late Robert) Nugent, both of Salamanca, New York; step daughter, JoAnn (Lloyd) Blair, Reno, N.V.; grandsons, Michael (Maria) Yehl, Ithaca, New York, Todd (Jamie ) Nugent, Salamanca, New York, granddaughters, Nancy (Timothy) Fish, Ithaca, New York, Tracy (Ronald) Wojtowicz, Wilmington, N.C.; great grandchildren, Lauren and Ryan Fish, Ithaca, New York; a sister, Florence (Dean) Drew, Buffalo, New York; brothers, James (the late Kay) Biscup, Great Falls, MT, David (Marsha) Biscup, Salamanca, New York; four nieces and eight nephews.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by sisters Veronica (Claude) Donahey and Marjorie (Richard) Powalski, and brothers Victor (Marion) Biscup and Charles (Wanda) Biscup.

Friends may call at the O’Rourke & O’Rourke Inc. Funeral Home, 25 River Street, Salamanca, New York on Friday, July 16, from 4-7 P.M.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday morning, July 17, at 9 A.M. in Our Lady of Peace Parish with Rev. J. Patrick Melfi, pastor, as celebrant.

Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Salamanca, New York.

E-condolences can be sent to john@orourke-orourke.com.