Eleanor Book Magness
COSHOCTON – (Mary) Eleanor Book Magness, 91, of Coshocton, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her family and friends, on September 7, 2016.
Eleanor was born at home on a dairy farm near Coatsville, Pennsylvania in an area known as Misty Patch on May 12, 1925. She was the daughter of Abram Samuel and Linda Gay Book. “Ellie”, as her friends knew her, spent her early years farming, playing baseball, and attending a one room country schoolhouse, Little Washington School. She left home at an early age, first with relatives, and then as a weekday companion to an elderly Quaker woman “in town”. This enabled her to graduate from Scott High School in 1943.
Following a senior high school assembly, Eleanor joined the World War II student cadet nursing corps at Episcopal Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she served as president of the senior class. It was there she received her R.N. degree and became head nurse on the surgical floor. It was also there she met her future husband of 67 years, Dr. Alfred Hunter Magness, whom she married on October 12, 1946. He preceded her in death on January 20, 2014.
Surviving are her four children: Dr. Alfred P. Magness II (Dace) of Norfolk, Virginia, Dr. Linda J. Magness, Dr. Susan Magness Carver (Gary) and Dr. Thomas B. Magness (Donna), all of Coshocton; four grandchildren, Samuel, James, and Alexandra Magness and Elizabeth Magness Pennington (Daniel); and two great grandchildren, June Magness and Lucille Waters Pennington.
Along with her parents and husband she was preceded in death by her sister, Alice E. Haines, and brothers James G. and Abram E. Book, and one nephew, Robert.
Eleanor was always a hard worker, first as an R.N. in Philadelphia and then for her husband’s early practice. She was a wise financial investor and was always the bookkeeper for her husband’s practice. Eleanor was a strong believer in Christian Education and taught Sunday School for over forty years. She served on the local Salvation Army Board and was a great believer in charitable causes. Eleanor ran a very successful real estate business and was a “hands on” landlord for her many tenants over the years. She loved all flowers, especially red.
Most of all Eleanor took care of her husband and four children. As she said, she “learned the forty prepositions four times.” Eleanor was busy helping with reading, homework, scouting and Sunday lunches. She drove to and attended band concerts, instrument, piano, and organ lessons, and took care of many dogs and cats. She assisted in moving in and out of dormitories, apartments, houses and offices. Eleanor was the “glue” that held the family together and the girl from Misty Patch will be deeply missed by her family and friends.
Calling hours will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Given Dawson Funeral Home on Friday, September 16, 2016. A funeral service to celebrate Eleanor’s life will be held in the Sanctuary of The Presbyterian Church on Saturday, September 17, 2016 at 11 a.m., with visitation one hour prior to service at the church Assembly Room. Rev. Jonathan T. Carlisle will be officiating.
For those who wish, memorial contributions can be made to The Salvation Army, 219 North Fourth Street or to The Presbyterian Church for Christian Education, 142 North Fourth Street, both of Coshocton.
An online memorial can be viewed at www.givendawsonfuneralhome.com.
Category: Obituaries
