Elinore Annette McKinnon
10/23/1927 - 12/24/2011
Eleanore Massena~McKinnon
With sadness and pride we wish to notify the Greater Brazoria County area
of the passing of Eleanor Massena McKinnon. Born October 23rd 1927 in Albany, NY.
Arrived Home December 24th 2011 at Cypress Woods Care Center in Angleton, TX.
A child of Sicilian immigrant parents, and raised in Brooklyn, NY during the Great Depression, Ellie or (Sam) as she had come to be known, lived a full and exciting life. She started her working career at 13 working in the Garment District as a seamstress, never finishing school beyond the 8th grade paid .05 cents by piece. Later as she grew, she was noticed and finally approached by Mr. John Roebuck of Sears & Roebuck's and asked to sit upon a stool in front of an open bay window, a few snap shots were taken of the silhouette of this statuesque blonde and the next thing Ellie knew, she was a published model for the mattress company, Sealy Posturpedic. From there Ellie had made several more catalog features before turning her sights south to Florida. Working as a cocktail waitress at the famed Copa Cabana in the 50's is where she met who would become her Husband of 22 years, Richard Lee Bowers. Richard was the drummer in the traveling Jazz Band, The Duke Ellington Orchestra. Together Richard and Ellie traveled the states for 3 more years before settling down in the heart of Dixie Land Jazz, The French Quarter of New Orleans. Later in life after the birth of their only Son, David Scott Bowers in Charleston, SC 1965, and the passing of her Husband, Ellie and child relocated to Lake Jackson, TX to raise her son in a more wholesome, calmer atmosphere. Ellie later became the 1st and last Food Service Manager at the First Baptist Church of Lake Jackson, serving 2 dinner meals a week with a kitchen staff of just one other person, Mrs. Mildred Reed, Wednesday and Sunday Evenings to the congregation. Ellie worked here for 8 years before her retirement in 1985.
Ellie is preceded in death by the following: Her Father Luigi Massena, Mother Louisa, Brothers Ralph and Larry, Sister Jane and Husband Richard. She is survived by her only child, David Scott Bowers. It is Ellie's wishes that clothing donations be made in her name to Cypress Woods Care Center, Angleton, Texas in lieu of flowers. Ellie was a very welcoming, giving soul, never met a stranger, always had a smile, and trusted everyone, even at times to her own detriment. She is sadly missed by all who encountered and was fortunate enough to know her.
A Gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 15:1
Obituary Provided By:
www.lakewoodfuneralchapel.com
info@lakewoodfuneralchapel.com
979-297-6464
|
