Eleanor Cummings Obituary

Eleanor "Ellie" Isabel Johnson Cummings of Magnolia, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 31, 2023, a few days before her 96th birthday. She was a 1945 graduate of Boyden High School in Salisbury, North Carolina, where she was a four-year letter winner in basketball and field hockey, an editor of the school newspaper, a member of the yearbook staff, and voted "Most Original" by her classmates. She attended Winthrop College, where she was a member of the class of 1949. After college she moved to Boston where she held several roles at Rockland-National Bank and was a member of the bank's undefeated debate team where the prompt was: "Resolved: That the United States Should Return to the Gold Standard. " She met her husband when Rockland-Atlas merged with State Street Bank, where he was a banker. After the wedding she retired from the bank to start a family. Once her children were in school, she applied her experience in finance to a career in real estate where she had her own business. Ellie raised her children in Manchester By-The-Sea. Throughout their childhood she was a tireless volunteer, President of the Manchester Women's Club, Girl Scout Troop Leader, and constant presence at swim meets, tennis matches, hockey, and football games. Later, she relished her role as "Gran Ellie," ready and able to attend all manner of talent shows, competitions, and awards ceremonies for her grandchildren. Ellie spent her retirement in Magnolia. She was an active member of Trinity Congregational Church where she led the Harvest Meal ministry for more than twenty-years. She was a doting "surrogate grandmother" to many, offering encouragement, advice, and support. No surprise that more than a hundred people, ages 5 to 95, gathered for her 90th birthday celebration. Her efforts did not go unnoticed. The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women recognized her as a "Massachusetts Unsung Heroine of 2008" for her acts of kindness and service to the community of Gloucester. In 2017, Trinity bestowed upon her the title "Deacon Emerita," in recognition of her years of dedicated service to the church's Christian Ministry. Ellie spent the past three years at Our Lady of Hope in Richmond, Virginia. Adjusting quickly to her new home, she became a Lady of Hope "Ambassador. " In that role she helped new residents assimilate into the Lady of Hope community. A lifelong learner, she picked up new hobbies and mastered many card games. She spent many enjoyable evenings playing poker and other card games with her friends. When asked if the card games ever involved friendly wagers, she laughed and said, "betting would be unseemly for a Deacon Emerita. "The family would like to extend its deepest gratitude to everyone at Our Lady of Hope. The staff provided Ellie with the opportunity to enjoy daily activities, competitive games, and dining with friends. The medical team kept her healthy, safe during COVID-19, and comfortable in her final days. Ellie was born September 27, 1927 in Salisbury, North Carolina. She was the daughter of Pearl Isabel Smith Johnson and Thomas J. Johnson, Sr. of Salisbury. She was predeceased by her husband, Kenneth Allan Cummings, Sr. , of Manchester By-The-Sea, and her brother, Thomas J. Johnson, Jr. , of Salisbury. She is survived by her daughter, Joy Isabel Cummings Fuhr (Ed) of Richmond, Virginia, her son Kenneth Allan Cummings, Jr. (Tamlin) of Winchester, England, beloved grandchildren Anna Isabel Fuhr, Laura Isabel Fuhr, Sarah Isabel Fuhr, Tristan Cummings (Michelle), Seren Cummings, Jaya Francis and Yana Francis. Her funeral service will be held at Trinity Congregational Church, 70 Middle Street, Gloucester on Monday, September 18th at 10:00am. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Burial will be at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Manchester. Contributions may be made in Ellie's Memory to Trinity Congregational Church. Arrangements by the Campbell Funeral Home, 61 Middle Street, Gloucester.