Obituary: Mcfadden, Eleanore “Kelly”
Age 92
She was born on January 14, 1923 in Grand Forks, B.C.
to Premo and Theresa Nigro Kelly.
Her parents immigrated to America from Grimaldi and Monticotina, Italy in the early 1900s.
The family resided in Bridesville and Penticton, B.C.
until Eleanore was five years of age at which time they moved to Ephrata, WA.
Eleanore graduated from Ephrata High School and then attended Holy Names College for women in Spokane where she received her B.A.
in Education.
She then pursued a Masters Degree from Gonzaga University.
In 1945, she accepted a position in the Pasco, Washington School District where she spent 18 years teaching English, Writing, and Literature.
Her greatest joys were her students whom she loved to call her “Kids”.
She kept in touch with many of them through the years and even attended their class reunions.
In her own words: “To all my students, thank you for making my teaching years such a joyous and rewarding experience!
I love you all!”
She truly made a difference in the lives of so many people!
Her mind was as sharp as ever all the way to the very end.
Less than two weeks before her passing, she was helping correct grammar on a college essay!
Eleanore was preceded in death by her husband, William R. McFadden (1990), her brothers Eugene F. and Armand M. (both of whom died in infancy), and her dear brother, Gerald P. Kelly (2007).
She is survived by her beloved and only daughter, Patricia Anne McFadden (Bellevue WA); her dear brother, Joseph Q. Kelly (Centralia WA); her dear cousin, Armand Nigro, S.J.
(Spokane, WA/Los Gatos, CA); and several nieces and nephews whom were extremely special to her!
Some of her last words to her family and friends: “You can be sure that I will be watching over and praying for each of you!”
Eleanore a lifelong devout Catholic who attended Mass and prayed the Rosary daily was a member of The Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish and Altar Society; Catholic Daughters Association; Our Lady of Fatima Court in the Tri-Cities; St. Charles Parish Altar Society; St. Anne’s Guild; The Holy Names Alumni Association; the Serra Club of Spokane; and a grateful member of the St. Charles Prayer Group.
She had a particular love for the Immaculate Heart Retreat Center.
On behalf of the family, we would like to extend a special thank you to Brad and Judy Johnson for the love and care given so selflessly to Eleanore over the last few years of her life!
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, March 27, 2015, at 10 a.m. at “The Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes” (1115 West Riverside Ave. Spokane WA), followed by a reception in the Parish Hall.
A private burial will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Poor Clare Monastery, Convent of the Holy Names, Immaculate Heart Retreat Center, and Hospice of Spokane.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.hennesseyfuneralhomes.com.