Obituary for Eleanore H. Atkinson
Eleanore H. Atkinson, age 87, of Mantua passed away peacefully with her family by her side Monday, May 16, 2022. Eleanore was born in Frankfurt, Germany to Anni & Herman Stahl. As a small girl she endured the horrors of WWII. She went to work as a teenager cutting diamonds. She met her future husband, Stephen B Atkinson of Paulsboro, NJ who was deployed to Germany as a Master Sergeant with the 3rd Armored Division in Germany. During this time she worked in the Army Mess hall where she not only met her husband but she met Elvis Presley who were both stationed in Germany and were assigned to the 3rd Armored Division, at the Ray Barracks, Friedberg. Stephen, Eleanore and Carmen came to America in 1959 and lived on Delaware Street in Paulsboro, NJ. When her son Stephen was born, they moved to West Deptford, NJ to the Hangsteffer Family’s Property.
The next chapter of her life began and she moved to Union Street in Mantua. NJ when her next son Jeffrey was born. With the family growing, they then moved to her residence on Summit Ave, in Mantua, NJ when her youngest daughter Keri was born, and she lived there for the remaining 57 years. Eleanore was a devoted wife and Mother, who always put her family first. She was a nature and animal lover, and enjoyed bird watching. She was an amazing cook, and was well known for her Sauerkraut, delicious cookies and baked items. She also enjoyed gardening, reading, crossword puzzles, and her 34 years as a member and four time President of The Universal Club, which was formed in 1952.
Speaking of Presidents, Mom had a charm about her that made people gravitate to her and while her husband Stephen was a Republican Freeholder she met Barbara Bush, the wife of George H. Bush Sr., the then Vice President of the United States at a fundraiser dinner in Cherry Hill, NJ. They talked for a long time at the dinner table as each woman had stories of their beginnings in life. Mrs. Bush was so moved by their meeting that day, that she would go on to send Eleanore a White House Christmas card each year even during her four years as First Lady of the United States.
Eleanore enjoyed taking care of her grandchildren as they brought her much love and joy. She truly loved her entire family and all her friends! She also loved Christmas and each year she would be a reader in the annual Advent Service held at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church in Woodbury where the services were conducted completely in the German language. She will be missed by all her close friends. She was grateful for her many friends and neighbors. A few
special ones, Susan Sullivan, Petra Smith, Kenny Hudson, Carol Miller and John and Joan Tierno were especially helpful in Eleanore’s later years.
Wife of the late Stephen B. Atkinson, Sr., Eleanore is survived by her children Carmen (Walt) Seebald, Stephen (Judy) Atkinson, Jeffrey (Cathy) Atkinson, Keri Atkinson (Michael Tiszkus), grandchildren Sheena (Taylor), Bridgette (Keith), Stephen (Kate) and Aidan Atkinson; and step grandchildren, Amy (Craig) Tierney, Jessica (Alex) Francisco, Eric (Michele) Seebald, step great-grandchildren and two sisters Brigitte Chlipek and Rosita Schilling, her sister-in-laws, Kathleen (Pete) Pollicino, Nadja Atkinson, Elaine Atkinson, many loving nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews in the USA and Germany and her Grandpuppies Max and Gentleman Jack. Predeceased by her parents Anni (Gryzybowski) & Hermann Stahl, brother Manfred Stahl, her mother and father-in-law Katherine (Barton) and Stephen B. Atkinson, Sr., William and Cynthia Widener, Robert Atkinson, Stanley Atkinson and Manfred Schilling.
Family and Friends are invited to visit from 9:30 am to 11:15 am on Tuesday, May 24, 2022 at Church Of The Incarnation, 240 Main Street, Mantua, New Jersey 08051, followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 am. Burial to follow at Eglington Cemetery in Clarksboro, NJ 08020.
Donations can be made to American Cancer Society or National Breast Cancer. Please click here for online donation.
Memories and condolences can be shared at http://www.smithfhmantua.com
The next chapter of her life began and she moved to Union Street in Mantua. NJ when her next son Jeffrey was born. With the family growing, they then moved to her residence on Summit Ave, in Mantua, NJ when her youngest daughter Keri was born, and she lived there for the remaining 57 years. Eleanore was a devoted wife and Mother, who always put her family first. She was a nature and animal lover, and enjoyed bird watching. She was an amazing cook, and was well known for her Sauerkraut, delicious cookies and baked items. She also enjoyed gardening, reading, crossword puzzles, and her 34 years as a member and four time President of The Universal Club, which was formed in 1952.
Speaking of Presidents, Mom had a charm about her that made people gravitate to her and while her husband Stephen was a Republican Freeholder she met Barbara Bush, the wife of George H. Bush Sr., the then Vice President of the United States at a fundraiser dinner in Cherry Hill, NJ. They talked for a long time at the dinner table as each woman had stories of their beginnings in life. Mrs. Bush was so moved by their meeting that day, that she would go on to send Eleanore a White House Christmas card each year even during her four years as First Lady of the United States.
Eleanore enjoyed taking care of her grandchildren as they brought her much love and joy. She truly loved her entire family and all her friends! She also loved Christmas and each year she would be a reader in the annual Advent Service held at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church in Woodbury where the services were conducted completely in the German language. She will be missed by all her close friends. She was grateful for her many friends and neighbors. A few
special ones, Susan Sullivan, Petra Smith, Kenny Hudson, Carol Miller and John and Joan Tierno were especially helpful in Eleanore’s later years.
Wife of the late Stephen B. Atkinson, Sr., Eleanore is survived by her children Carmen (Walt) Seebald, Stephen (Judy) Atkinson, Jeffrey (Cathy) Atkinson, Keri Atkinson (Michael Tiszkus), grandchildren Sheena (Taylor), Bridgette (Keith), Stephen (Kate) and Aidan Atkinson; and step grandchildren, Amy (Craig) Tierney, Jessica (Alex) Francisco, Eric (Michele) Seebald, step great-grandchildren and two sisters Brigitte Chlipek and Rosita Schilling, her sister-in-laws, Kathleen (Pete) Pollicino, Nadja Atkinson, Elaine Atkinson, many loving nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews in the USA and Germany and her Grandpuppies Max and Gentleman Jack. Predeceased by her parents Anni (Gryzybowski) & Hermann Stahl, brother Manfred Stahl, her mother and father-in-law Katherine (Barton) and Stephen B. Atkinson, Sr., William and Cynthia Widener, Robert Atkinson, Stanley Atkinson and Manfred Schilling.
Family and Friends are invited to visit from 9:30 am to 11:15 am on Tuesday, May 24, 2022 at Church Of The Incarnation, 240 Main Street, Mantua, New Jersey 08051, followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 am. Burial to follow at Eglington Cemetery in Clarksboro, NJ 08020.
Donations can be made to American Cancer Society or National Breast Cancer. Please click here for online donation.
Memories and condolences can be shared at http://www.smithfhmantua.com