Eleanor G. Stewart's Obituary
Eleanor Goodnow Mistarka Stack Stewart, 92, of Leesburg, FL, and longtime resident of Northampton, MA, went to be with her Lord Jesus on Saturday, February 04, 2017. Mrs. Stewart was born November 2, 1924, in Hyannis, MA, to Lewis Weston and Florence Lillian (Jameson) Goodnow and grew up in Shelburne Falls, MA. A graduate of North Texas State Teachers College and Springfield College with a Masters of Occupational Therapy, she retired as the head of the Occupational Therapy Department at the Northampton State Mental Hospital. Eleanor was a great neighbor and loyal friend. She loved to listen and help others and was not afraid to offer an opinion. Upon the passing of husband, Robert Stack, of Northampton, she raised three sons as a single mother. Eleanor was a previous member of the Florence Congregational Church and Quota Club. She owned and operated several multi-family properties and served as a resident assistant. Eleanor loved sports, especially basketball as a player and spectator. She followed the Celtics and Magic and spoke fondly of her ride with Celtics All Star, Dave Cowens. A new chapter began when her three sons gave her away in marriage to William Stewart of Worcester, MA, in 1989. She “retired” to a career with The Salvation Army working as a Sergeant with Bill in Florida. It seemed she was always moving and sorting through boxes to give away her possessions. She lived in the cities of Jacksonville, Panama City, Miami, Kissimmee / St. Cloud, Sanford, and finally Leesburg where she and Bill retired permanently. Eleanor was a devoted Christian and a member of the Congregational Church of Mt. Dora and loved working and playing on her computer. Eleanor was preceded in death by her son, Ron Mistarka. Survivors include her loving husband of 27 years, Bill; sons, David Mistarka of Hernando, FL and COL(Ret.) Robert Stack of Fort Worth, TX; brother, Wayne Goodnow of Crystal River, FL; sister, Lois Gibbons of Stafford, VA; grandchildren David, Daniel, Bobby and Courtney and her beloved cats, Thunder and Lightning. A memorial service will be held in the Congregational Church of Mt. Dora, 650 N. Donnelly St., Mt. Dora, FL 32757 on February 19, 2017. Her ashes will be buried at the family grave site in Shelburne Falls, MA, at a later date. On-line condolences may be shared by visiting www.bankspagetheus.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Banks/Page-Theus Funerals and Cremations, Wildwood, FL.
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