Memorial Service Wednesday, February 15, 2 pm, Emmanuel Episcopal Church
— from Bill Bailey —
Eleanor B. Peterson, a 26-year resident of Orcas Island, passed away quietly at home on Saturday, 21 January, 2017, just missing her 87th birthday of February 12th. She was with caregivers and family at her passing.
Mom was born in Troy, New York and attended Syracuse University on a music scholarship. She then crossed the country numerous times, maintaining her career as a lyric soprano, performing in local recitals and festivals and coaching vocal students.
Mom was preceded in death by her husband B. Edward Peterson in October of 2006. She is survived by her daughter and son, Margaret E. Bailey of Orcas and William F. Bailey of Santa Clara, California, by step-son and step-granddaughter Richard D. Peterson and Jennafer Peterson of Ventura, CA, and by step-daughter and stepson-in-law Diane P. and William McDonald of Alpharetta, Georgia. Mom is also survived by two nephews and eight grand-nieces and grand-nephews, all making their homes in upstate New York.
A memorial service will be held for Mom on Wednesday, February 15, 2017, at 2 pm at the Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Eastsound. Interment will be thereafter in the Columbarium of the Church, followed by a reception in the Parish Hall. All are welcome.
Donations may be made to Emmanuel Episcopal Church.
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She and Ed did a lot for our community. She will be missed.
Eleanor was such an upbeat person, and always so pleasant to converse with about music and teaching, something we both loved. She coached one or two of the young singers who appeared in the musical shows at Orcas Center, and I liked talking about their noticeable progress with her, and with them. Having her birthday on the same day as Lincoln’s “real” birthday must have been fun for Eleanor as a child, because my memory says it used to be a holiday off from school in addition to Washington’s “real” birthday. I will miss Eleanor and am glad for the opportunity to honor her.