Eleanor “Ellie” Cammarata

Eleanor (Ellie) Cammarata, 83, of Endicott, passed away from an aggressive cancer after a brief residence at Mercy House in Endicott on October 4, 2017. She was born April 21, 1934, in New Bedford, MA. She is predeceased by her parents, Jenny and Paul King, and beloved brother, Robert, of Fairhaven, MA. Eleanor is survived by Anthony, her devoted husband of 59 ½ years, and her sister, Janet Martin, of Tiverton, RI. Survivors also include her four loving children: Elizabeth (Gregory) Cammarata-Schaaf of Scotia, Stephen (Parisa) Cammarata, of Irvine, CA, Laurie (Gerald) Wicks, of Owego, and Jennifer (Daryl) Orton, of Richford. Surviving grandchildren include Stephen’s daughter Melody and Laurie’s daughter, Clairissa, and son, Kyle, all who lovingly adored their Nana. Eleanor is additionally survived by her sister Janet’s children including nieces: Melissa (David) Pavlik, Stephanie Martin, and Danielle (Kris) Garcia, and nephew David (Renee) Martin; as well as cousins on husband, Anthony’s, side: Carolyn Skinner, Janice Skinner Jenks, and Ronald Skinner, Jr., all of NC. A life-long parishioner of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Endicott, NY, Eleanor served their Altar/Rosary Society for many years. Also a long-time volunteer at Mom’s House of Johnson City, she was their 2004 Solution of Hope award recipient and served as a Board of Directors member—for a time sitting as the Board’s president. She also served as president of the PTA at the T. J. Watson Elementary School during the years her children attended. Eleanor will be remembered for a life very well lived. She was a loving, compassionate, warm, and joy-filled person. A passionate violin player, she performed a solo at her 1954 nursing school graduation from the St. Luke’s Hospital diploma program, New Bedford, MA. She began her nursing career after graduating from Columbia University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in English, working as a Registered Nurse at the Neurological Institute of Presbyterian Hospital, NYC. While living and working in NYC, Eleanor met Anthony, the love of her life, on a blind date. They married in 1958, settling in the Triple Cities area in 1965. While raising a family of four, Eleanor returned to work as the school nurse at T.J. Watson Elementary School, Endicott. She ultimately earned her master’s degree in education, after which she assumed the position of District-wide School Nurse Teacher for Union Endicott Central Schools, until retiring in 1993. An avid bird watcher, Eleanor loved the musical calls and grace of loons swimming on Back Lake, NH, a favorite place where she and husband, Anthony, vacationed. A voracious reader, she loved spy and mystery novels. She was an amazing cook and baker, notably making pumpkin pie from scratch every Thanksgiving-truly legendary among family and friends, unmatched!
The family will receive friends at Allen Memorial Home, 511-513 East Main Street, Endicott, NY 13760, on Sunday, October 15, from 2-5 p.m. A Funeral Mass will take place Monday, October 16, at 10:30 am at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 701 West Main Street, Endicott, NY 13760. Expressions of sympathy in Eleanor’s memory may be made through donations to Mom’s House, 770 Harry L. Drive, Johnson City, NY 13790. 607-644-9972. http://www.momshouseny.org.