Eleanor M. (King) Wallace, a lifelong resident of Lowell, Massachusetts, passed away on January 9, 2017, age 89 years. She was the beloved wife of the late Charles Wallace, with whom she had shared 54 years of marriage.
Born in Lowell, January 4, 1928, she was the daughter of the late Thomas S. and Marie E. (Arpin) King. Eleanor received her education in the Lowell school system and graduated from Lowell High School with the Class of 1945.
Charlie and his pals traveled from Forge Village to The Commodore in Lowell, where he met Eleanor and her pals. The new group of friends began attending local Polish Picnics and dances together, having lots of fun. Charlie knew right away that Eleanor would always be “his gal,” though it took a little more time for her to realize the same. They married on February 15, 1953, and settled in Lowell to raise their family.
Early on, she worked as a waitress and for Lowell City Mills. Eleanor went on to further her education in the field of nursing, graduating from Tewksbury State Hospital, acquiring her LPN license and working private duty assignments. Later, she transitioned to Raytheon, working in the Missile Systems Division in South Lowell, where she was a group leader with the inspection department, retiring after 43 years of dedicated service.
Eleanor spent many summers at Salisbury Beach watching Charlie collect only the most perfect sand dollars and the best pieces of sea glass, while she enjoyed reading, sunny days, sipping cocktails and passing snacks around the "Circle" with family and friends. She also enjoyed cruises, trips to Las Vegas, contributing to local casinos and sharing dozens of oysters on the half shell with the only other person who liked them, her great-niece, Brittany Croteau.
She was always quick to lend a helping hand to family, friends and strangers alike. If you gave Eleanor a gift, no matter how small, you could be sure that a heartfelt thank you card was in the mail before you got home. A loving mother, devoted wife, cherished sister and doting aunt, she will always be remembered for her most generous spirit and kindness to all.
She is survived by a son, Charles T. "Skip" Wallace and his wife Brenda of Duxbury, VT; a daughter, Catherine M. Cummings and her husband Paul of Blue Hill, ME; two sisters, Shirley Souza and Janet Callery; a brother, Tom King and his wife Carol; a brother-in-law, William Copp; and a sister-in-law, Helen Cummings and her husband Robert; her special godchild, Donna Gael Burns; special nieces, Carol Wolosewicz, Bobbie Burns and Mary Burns; and many other special nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. She also leaves her dear friend, Mary McCluskey, and her adopted grandchildren, Liam and Kai. The family wishes to give special thanks to Tom and Carol Sutherland, Steven Dinh and Christine Nguyen for their loving friendship. She was the sister of the late Elizabeth Burns, Kathleen Copp and Mary King.
Friends were received at Morse-Bayliss Funeral Home in Lowell on Monday, January 16, from 3 to 7 p.m. Her funeral service was held at the funeral home on Tuesday, January 17, at 11 a.m. Interment is in Lowell Cemetery.
