Eleanor J. Loomis

Obituary of Eleanor J. Loomis Eleanor Jean Loomis (nee Mansfield) of Palermo, went to be with her Lord, May 31, 2017. She was 93. She was preceded in death by her parents, Nicholas and Marion Mansfield; three siblings, Harold Mansfield, Nicholas “Nick” Mansfield and Marjory “Midge” Northrup and her husband of 70 years, Lee Earl Loomis. Eleanor was born in 1923 in Fulton, NY. Later, the Mansfield family moved to Palermo where she attended Palermo Elementary School which, at the time, was a one-room school house. There, she met her future husband with whom she eventually settled less than a mile away. Later, she and Lee were instrumental in restoring the school building and preserving its history. Despite countless health issues, Eleanor led a rich life in which her church, Palermo United Methodist (originally Upson Corner’s Methodist), and her family were central. She is survived by four children, Marion Bregande (Donald) of Manlius, NY, Lucinda Freeman (Carl) of Williamsburg, VA, L. Rodger Loomis (Sandra) of Palermo and C. Mark Loomis of Palermo; 13 grandchildren, Robin Shaw, Matthew Bregande, Darren Bregande (Karen), Brick Loomis (Rebecca), Trevor Loomis (Martha), Joshua Loomis, Luke Loomis, Keanin Loomis (Trish), Bethany Cartwight (Jay), Mark Loomis, Sean Loomis, Tracey Tunstall (Rich) and Brian Freeman (Alisha); 19 great-grandchildren as well as many loving and attentive nieces and nephews. While raising her family, Eleanor worked as an executive secretary at Sealright in Fulton, General Electric in Liverpool and Metropolitan Life Insurance. But her passion was music, especially singing. Often she was asked to sing for weddings and funerals, and she organized a small choir at Palermo United Methodist. She and Lee sacrificed material possessions to ensure their four children received music lessons. Eleanor and Lee graduated from Mexico High School where they were active in the Educational Foundation and the Alumni Association. In 2012, they were names Alumni of the Year. Palermo United Methodist honored Eleanor and Lee for their many years of service and support by dedicating their “upper room” to the couple. After Lee’s death in 2014, Eleanor lived at Parkrose Estates in Liverpool for a brief period, but she spent her final days in peace and comfort at the home of her daughter, Marion (Don), where she received many visitors. Calling hours are Monday, June 5 from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm with a service to immediately follow at Palermo U.M.C., 11 County Route 35, Fulton. Interment will be in Mt. Adnah Cemetery, Fulton. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to Palermo United Methodist Church or Mexico Academy Educational Foundation, P.O. Box 1134, Mexico, NY 13114. Foster Funeral Home, Fulton, has care of arrangements.