ELEANOR L. VYHNALEK (nee Zavesky), age 108.  Beloved wife of the late George J.; loving mother of Carol Tomsic and Raymond Vyhnalek; dear grandmother of Richard Tomsic, Steve Tomsic, Ellen Tomsic, Amy Vyhnalek and Brian Vyhnalek; great-grandmother of Alexander and Elowyn Vyhnalek; sister of the late Robert Zavesky and Grace Lucas; beloved aunt, great-aunt and friend of many.  Eleanor was a longtime parish secretary at St. Patrick Church (West Park) and was a volunteer social director at Larchwood Place.  Passed away December 22, 2020. Funeral Mass Tuesday, January 12, 2021, St. Patrick Church (West Park) at 10 A.M. where social distancing will be observed and facemasks required.  Interment Holy Cross Cemetery.  Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, there will be no visitation.  Memorial contributions are suggested to Hospice of the Western Reserve, P.O. Box 72101, Cleveland, OH 44192 or Greater Cleveland Food Bank, 15500 S. Waterloo Rd., Cleveland, OH 44110.

Eleanor, a lifelong Cleveland, Ohio resident, was the eldest child of three born to a tailor and seamstress. She recounted the impact of the 1918 Influenza Pandemic, which she and her mother both survived . During adolescence, both of Eleanor's parents worked so she learned from an early age how to cook family suppers and keep house, in addition to completing her school work and earning good marks. These lessons soon came in handy as Eleanor was one of two working family members during the Great Depression. During that time, Eleanor worked at a business as a secretary taking dictation using shorthand and also as the business's bookkeeper until marrying George in 1937. Since times were still tough, instead of venturing out on their own, Eleanor and her husband lived in her family's household where they raised their two children Carol and Raymond. During this time, Eleanor fondly remembered how the family used to host clam bakes, ladies' pinochle parties complete with intricate homemade pastries, and holiday meals. Eleanor and her family were also members of the St. Patrick West Park (WP) Catholic Church. Additionally, Eleanor was an integral member of the parish's Altar & Rosary Society for a number of years, organizing parish events, fundraisers, performing many acts of service to the community, and was honored to be named Lady of the Year. In the early 1950's Eleanor accepted the position of St Patrick, WP parish secretary and in the mid-1970's absorbed the additional role as parish bookkeeper; her first retirement was in 1994 at age 82. After retirement, Eleanor volunteered concurrently for the Sisters of St. Joseph answering telephones and at Larchwood Place Senior Independent Living helping with the activities for the residents. Soon, she was hired by Larchwood Place as the Assistant Activities Director where she worked for many years until her second retirement around age 100. After her second retirement, Eleanor enjoyed spending time with her children, with her grandchildren Rick, Steve, Ellen, Amy, and Brian, and her great-grandchildren Alexander and Elowyn. Additionally, she liked to take daily walks, work on crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, word searches, play Scrabble, and watch Jeopardy! and Cleveland sports where she would always root for the home team with gusto.

Eleanor lived a long life of 108 years, and as many will attest it was one full of purpose. In her later years, Eleanor often ventured that her best qualities were "hard working, cooking/baking, and sewing"; through these skills she continually demonstrated her great fortitude, commitment to family, and service to her community that will be her long-lasting legacy.

The Funeral Mass will be livestreamed on the Chambers Funeral Homes Facebook page (link to our Facebook page below):

https://www.facebook.com/Chambers-Funeral-Homes-1560347080741913