Eleanor Sleesman, a kind and gentle soul, passed peacefully on to join her beloved husband, Tom, early Friday morning, May 28, 2010. Eleanor had just celebrated her 90th birthday and had been treated to a week full of grand celebrations starting with a surprise party hosted by her dear friends, Alec and Debbie Willeson, and attended by her family and many friends in Peachtree City .
Eleanor, her son Tommy, and her late husband Tom left New Jersey for Peachtree City in 1903 in order to be closer to her devoted daughter Carol and son-in-law Cal and to shower their beloved grandson, Zach, with the special love and attention that only grandparents can provide. She was treated like a queen by her dear son Tommy who helped her each day and who loved to drive her around in his golf cart to dinner or out for errands.
Eleanor, Tom and Tommy found an extended family in their Morallion Hills neighborhood. They felt so very blessed to have been adopted by their many neighbors who looked out for them and treated them with love and caring.
Although a quiet presence, Eleanor loved being with people and doing things for others. Eleanor never missed a birthday, anniversary, or holidays, always sending a card with a personal note. In her 70’s she taught herself to use the computer and began designing her own cards. She kept her pantry stocked with visitors’ favorite items so they would feel at home whenever they dropped by. Always thoughtful and gracious, Eleanor was a Southern Belle despite her Jersey upbringing. She said just the other day how much she enjoyed friends coming over to chat about community events and catching up on how their children were doing. She also shared how much it meant to her that her daughter Carol made herself available to her to take her to appointments, or share an afternoon reminiscing about fun times shared on their many vacations to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. She also said she missed the “ole guy” (her husband Tom who passed on July 31, 2007). They are now reunited.
Eleanor Schmitt was born May 25, 1920 in Philadelphia , PA. She married Tom Sleesman in 1944. She is survived by her beloved son Tommy Sleesman, III, daughter Carol VanderPlate, son-in-law Dr. Cal VanderPlate, grandson Zachary VanderPlate, younger sister Margaret Kirkman, and nephews, Robbie Wilz, Jeffry Wilz, and Brian Wilz.
A memorial service will be held Wednesday, June 9, 2010 at 7:00 P.M. at Christ Our Shepherd Lutheran Church . In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Christ Our Shepherd Lutheran church 101 Peachtree Parkway North , Peachtree City , GA 30269 .
Carl J. Mowell & Son, Peachtree City , GA www.mowellfuneralhome.com
