Eleanor R. Elliott

Eleanor R. Elliott, 93, a resident of Wahkiakum county the past 73 years, died in Cathlamet, on August 2, 2011. The daughter of Robert and Ethel (Collins) Tomlinson, she was born February 20, 1918 in Hazelton, British Columbia, Canada. Eleanor was a graduate of the Bellingham Normal School (now Western Washington University) where she earned her teaching certificate in 1938.

Upon graduation Eleanor accepted a position to teaching grades 1 through 8 at a one room school house at Elliott Point, located along the shores of the Columbia River upstream from Altoona. Boat was the only method of travel in and out of the fishing village for many years.

In 1939 Eleanor married Charles G. Elliott and they continued residing at Elliott Point where Eleanor became a wife, mother and homemaker. For many years Eleanor was an active member of the Grays River Methodist Church. There she served as treasurer of the Friendship Circle and also was a 4-H leader in the community.

Eleanor enjoyed gardening, stamp collecting, community events, and her family. She had many vivid memories of her life along the shores of the Columbia, including traveling by boat to Astoria for the delivery of her children.

Her husband Charles died in 1976 and her son Charles Jr. died in 1996. Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law Roberta and Darrel Trotter of Rosburg; son and daughter-in-law Thomas and Erin Elliott of Pasco; daughter-in-law Robbin Elliott of Longview; brother George Tomlinson of Seattle; grandchildren Jeff Heitsch, Deborah Disch, Charles Elliott, Nicholas Elliott and Tyler Elliott; 11 great-grandchildren; and numerous other members of her extended family.

Memorial service will be held Saturday, August 13, 2011, 1 p.m. at Penttila’s Chapel by The Sea in Long Beach with a reception following at the chapel. Private committal will be at Ocean View Cemetery, Warrenton, Ore. Recognizing the excellent care Eleanor received, memorials may be made to the Columbia View Care Center, 155 Alder St., Cathlamet, WA 98612. Her guestbook is available at http://www.penttilaschapel.com.