Eleanor Hartwell Conlan

Eleanor H. (Carpenter) Conlan, 90, was born on August 1, 1925, to Charles Carpenter and Rosamond (Cooke) Carpenter. She was married to the love of her life, William A. "Scotty" Conlan, for seventy years. Eleanor died peacefully on Wednesday, April 20, 2016 at Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro, MA.She is survived by her husband, William, by her son William A. Conlan, Jr. and wife Linda, living in West Warwick, RI; her son Douglas P. Conlan and wife Pamela, living in Clifton Park, NY; her darling daughter Susan L. (Conlan) Tremblay-Murray and husband Jonathan, living in Fall River, MA; her late son Thomas's widow Celeste Conlan, living in Attleboro, MA; her late son John's widow Enma Conlan, living in Providence, RI; and her dear brother, Robert O. Carpenter, living in Gilbert, SC. Eleanor had twenty grandchildren; over thirty great-grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.She was the loving mother of the late John R. Conlan and of the late Thomas C. Conlan. She was grandmother of the late Patricia Ann Tremblay, and sister of the late Edward R. Carpenter, Richard Carpenter, and Charles R. Carpenter.Eleanor was a life-long resident of Attleboro, graduating from Attleboro High School in 1943. She met Scotty when they were still in school, and they were married on June 29, 1945, living happily until her passing. Together they raised their four sons and daughter Susan in a big ol' house full of laughter and memories on 4th Street. Though they later moved to a smaller place, she's ever kept her space as tidy as can be and always welcomed visitations from friend and family.Eleanor was a woman of diverse interests and ceaseless energy. She loved reading and made short work of countless books, enjoying stories from Stephen King's horrors to romances set in the Scottish countryside. She loved cooking and baking, recipe box brimming with recipes for many family-favorite meals and snacks. She was an accomplished seamstress, crafter, and a prodigious knitter as well, gifting her extended family with all sorts of afghans, hats, scarves, and socks in a wide array of colors and styles. She had a green thumb and enjoyed gardening and growing and eating the things she grew. She even took to computers and proudly made use of a tablet where she enjoyed conversing and word games.In her younger years, she played golf with Scotty and friends, was a member of the All Saints Episcopal Church in Attleboro and was a noted member of the church's Alter Guild and Choir. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was a Den Mother and involved in the Girl Scouts as well.But her greatest love for all and always was that of the sea. She and Scotty would camp summer after summer at a spot along Horseneck beach. Probably most of the family has fond memories of times spent there with her collecting shells among the stones or just sitting and listening to the crashing of the waves. She was quite fond of Cape Cod, in general, and Westport, in particular. She and Scotty camped too with family in campgrounds all over New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and New York. The time dearest to her was that spent with her family.Eleanor was more than young-at-heart; she was young-at-soul.Friends and family are cordially invited to attend visitation on Saturday, April 30, 2016 from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. in the "Memorial Chapel" of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue (exit 5 off I-95 N or S, go right at end of ramp, ¾ mile on left), Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. A brief Service of Celebration and Reflection will immediately follow visitation. Burial will be private.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Eleanor's memory to benefit the Food 'n Friends program of the Attleboro Area Council of Churches at 95 Pine Street, Attleboro, MA 02703, Attn: Pamela Tarallo.For additional information or to send the family a written expression of sympathy, please visit an on-line guest book at www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com . Arrangements are under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. (508) 695-0200