WINTHROP – Eleanor B. Gordon, 83, died peacefully on Jan. 15, 2025 following a battle with cancer and heart disease. Her daughter, Sandi, was at her side. She resided in Winthrop.

She was born on Sept. 27, 1941, in Gardiner. She was the eldest daughter of Charles and Margaret (Fowler) Boyd. Eleanor spent her childhood in Augusta, Kents Hill, and Readfield. Eleanor graduated with highest honors from Kents Hill Preparatory School, where she was a member of the Cum Laude Society. Eleanor attended Farmington State Teachers College and Central Maine General School of Nursing in the three-year program. Eleanor worked as a registered nurse in Massachusetts, Wyoming, Connecticut, and Maine.

She married the man (Lee Gordon, Jr. – her husband of 53 years) who, as a boy, had been kicked out of Glee Club for pulling her ponytail.

Eleanor lived her life in service to others, volunteering in a variety of school, church, and community activities, as well as caring for elderly family members, one for over 20 years.

She devoted herself to her husband, their three children, and their three grandchildren. As a loving mother, she instilled in her children a strong work ethic, perseverance, and the ability to find joy in the simple things – be it the smell of fresh baked bread, the beauty of fall foliage, or the soothing sound of waves against the shoreline.

She was very involved in her children’s lives, whether that meant serving as a Cub Scout “Den Mother,” attending all of their various sporting activities, musical and theatrical events, or being a loving and listening ear when times were tough.

As a “Grammie,” she attended the piano, violin, and dance recitals of her grandchildren, as well as their gymnastics events and school plays. Eleanor enjoyed all aspects of life at the lake, long walks in the country (while she was able), listening to classical music, playing the piano, solving various kinds of word puzzles, sketching and drawing, watching ballet, reading, and watching movies. Most of all, she enjoyed when the family came together to celebrate birthdays, graduations, barbeques, and holidays. All family gatherings were special to Eleanor.

As Lee’s devoted wife, she spent a great deal of time at her husband’s side, accompanying him to many Boston sporting events, numerous musical concerts (many of them by obscure artists), and multiple days-long Bluegrass Festivals. While not being one for the spotlight, Eleanor could always be counted on to do what was asked of her, even somehow managing to swallow a raw oyster whole when one of Lee’s work functions called for it!

Eleanor was predeceased by her husband of 53 years, Lee M. Gordon, Jr.; her parents, Charles and Margaret Boyd; her sister, Joanne Hallum, her brother-in-law, Ken Hallum; her nephew, Paul Partridge; and her great-niece, Jessica Killam.

She is survived by her son, Thomas Gordon (and his wife, Susan) of Waterville, her daughter, Sandra “Sandi” Brann (and her husband, Todd) of Wiscasset, her son, Douglass Gordon (and his wife, Ellen) of New Gloucester; her sister, Margaret “Margo” Boyd (and her husband, Steven Bicknell) of Holden; her niece, Pam Partridge (and her fiancé Bob Rideout) of Whitefield; her great-nephew, Jeremy Killam; and her three grandchildren, Ashleigh, Kassidy, and Lillian Gordon, all of Waterville.

At Eleanor’s request, there will be no funeral service. She will be laid to rest in the Readfield Corner Cemetery at a future date.

Arrangements and guidance are in the care of Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home and Cremation Care, One Church St., Augusta.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary of the Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home website http://www.khrfuneralhomes.com