Eleanor Grow

MASSENA — Mrs. Eleanor Grow, 96, formerly of Chase Street, Massena, passed away early Tuesday morning, November 17, 2009 at the Highland Nursing Home, where she had been a resident for the past several years.

A celebration of her life will be held December 12th from 1-3 p.m. with prayers offered at 3 p.m. at the Donaldson Funeral Home, Massena. Burial will be in the Pine Grove Cemetery.

She is survived by 2 children and their spouses, Sidney W. and Cynthia M. Grow, Tavares, FL, and Cheryl and Dr. William Tamplen, Klamath Falls, OR; 3 grandchildren, Karen, Melissa, and Geoffrey; and 2 great-grandchildren, David and Chase.

She was born January 21, 1913 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, the daughter of Herbert and Elizabeth Ormiston McDonald. She graduated from high school in Gananoque, Ontario. She married William S. Grow on June 12, 1939 in Massena.

Mr. Grow predeceased her on October 3, 1986.

Before relocating to Massena, she was named Miss Gananoque and was proud to become an American citizen in 1955. Eleanor was a housewife and worked in the Food Service Department at Massena Central Schools.

She was a member of the Massena Senior Citizens and the Cornwall, Ontario Travel Group. She was known to her family as "Mama Safari" for her many travels around the world, including the African Safari, Russia, Poland, Portugal, Columbia, and Hawaii. She was also an avid reader, who enjoyed watching television and had a great sense of humor. She was also very artistic and won many awards for her pen and ink sketches.

Her family would like to express their sincere thanks and gratitude to Eleanor's "second family", the employees and staff at the Highland Nursing Home for their excellent, compassionate, and kind care of her during the last years of her life.

Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one's choice.

Condolences may be made online at www.donaldsonfh.com.