Eleanor Williams Gilpatrick

Eleanor Williams Gilpatrick, age 86 of Carneys Point, NJ, passed away peacefully July 5, 2009, at home, with family in attendance. Mrs. Gilpatrick was born on June 11, 1923, in Alderson, West Virginia, the youngest child of Edward “Ted” E. Williams and Minnie McGraw Williams. Eleanor Gilpatrick is best known for her devotion to her family, her church, and her community. She was the mother of five active children, and she always supported them in their activities, including: church and school groups, scouts, YMCA programs, swim teams and other sports. Mrs. Gilpatrick was a member of Union Presbyterian Church for more than 60 years, and she sang in the choir for more than forty years. She also served as church treasurer, church pianist, and was active in the Women’s Association. She was a community activist, building consensus for the required improvements to obtain accreditation for Penns Grove Regional High School, where she also served on the Board of Education. “Mrs. G,” an exceptionally gifted musician, was always available to accompany church, school, and community groups that needed her help with piano accompaniment and singing. Eleanor Williams graduated from Maryville College, TN with a major in biology, and taught high school biology before her marriage. Later, in Boston MA, Mrs. Gilpatrick worked in medical research, helping to isolate and characterize the human blood rH factor. This research has improved the lives of many people, worldwide. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband of 61 years, Charles E. Gilpatrick, M.D.; a sister Edith Williams Bullock of NC; a daughter and son-in-law, Susan Gilpatrick Sands and Ronald Sands of ME; and a granddaughter, Megan Elizabeth Wolf of MA. She is survived by a sister, Virginia Margaret Williams Wetmore of PA; a daughter and son-in-law Pam Gilpatrick Green and James Green of DE; a daughter Mary Ann Gilpatrick of WA state; a daughter and son-in-law Marty Gilpatrick Wolf and Russ Wolf of MA; a son C. Roger Gilpatrick of Carneys Point; a daughter-in-law Kendra Gilpatrick of PA; and nine grandchildren: Kerri Coreen Sands of ME, Tim Edward Gilpatrick of DE, Jenny Williams, Julie Frances, and Molly Elizabeth Wolf of MA, and Kevin Charles, Hannah Vergene, Christy Eleanor, and Tyler William Gilpatrick of PA. In the 1950’s, the Gilpatrick family hosted an exchange student from Finland – Raija Uotinen Rosendahl. Raija and her family continue to be members of the Gilpatrick extended family. The Gilpatricks recognize Joletha Brown and Lynn Moss of Carneys Point, NJ, who are also beloved extended family members. A memorial service to celebrate the life of Eleanor Gilpatrick, open to all family and friends, will be held on Saturday July 18, 2009 at 1:00 PM at Union Presbyterian Church, 254 Shell Rd., Carneys Point, NJ. Interment will be private. Arrangements are under the direction of the Ashcraft Funeral Home in Penns Grove, NJ, and the Gilpatrick family. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the memory of Eleanor Gilpatrick may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 240 N. James Street, Suite 100A, Newport, DE 19804, or to the Friends of Music Fund at Union Presbyterian Church, 254 Shell Road, Carneys Point, NJ, 08069

Eleanor Williams Gilpatrick

June 11, 1923 - July 5, 2009