Eleanor Marie Falla

Eleanor Ellie Marie (Downes) Falla, 83, of Blackinton Drive, Attleboro, died peacefully at her residence surrounded by the love of family on Sunday, September 25, 2011. She was the wife of Arthur C. Falla to whom she was married on January 4, 1975 and was the former spouse of the late William E. Taylor. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on August 9, 1928, she was the only child of the late Arthur T. and Dorothy S. (Topieniak) Downes. Mrs. Falla was a 1946 graduate of North Attleboro High School, attended Rhode Island Junior College and received her Masters in Psychology from Antioch College. She retired as the Assistant Director of Nursing at the former Wrentham State School, now Wrentham Developmental Center. Throughout her career, she was first and foremost a patient advocate, working with the most challenged patients. A staunch feminist, she championed womens rights long before it became popular. An accomplished vocalist, she attended the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston and had an early career as a singer, both in local churches and on the radio which she left to raise her family. She was an enthusiastic cook and an accomplished baker, whose greatest pleasure was feeding family and friends. She was a member of the Angle Stone Chapter #118 of the Order of the Eastern Star North Attleboro. As an ardent cribbage player, one of her proudest accomplishments was a perfect 29 cribbage hand. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend. In addition to her husband of 37 years, Arthur C. Falla, she leaves two sons: Arthur D. Taylor and his wife, Susan Colby, of Middletown, Connecticut and William E. Taylor II and his wife, Lori Taylor, of Jamaica Plain and three grandchildren: Graham, Julia and Claire Taylor. Never wanting to see anyone hungry, donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Community Servings, 18 Marbury Terrace, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130. Community Servings provides free hot home-delivered meals to people with AIDS and other life threatening illnesses and their families. Family and friends are cordially invited to attend visitation on Monday, October 3, 2011 from 5:00 8:00 PM in the Memorial Chapel of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home the national historic Colonel Obed Robinson Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue (exit 5 off I-95 N or S, go right at end of ramp, mile on left), Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. A ritual service will be conducted by the Angle Stone Chapter #118 of the Order of the Eastern Star during visitation. A Service of Thanksgiving and Remembrance will be held on Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at 10:00 AM at Grace Episcopal Church, 104 North Washington Street, North Attleboro with the Rev. Maryalice Sullivan, Rector, officiating. Following church services an invitation will be extended to join the family for a time of continued fellowship and refreshments at a location to be announced. Private burial will be in the Stonington Cemetery, Stonington, Connecticut. To send the family an expression of sympathy, please visit an on-line register book at www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com . Arrangements under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. (508) 695-0200.