Obituary

Eleanor Gertrude Wortman

Eleanor Gertrude Wortman passed away on Saturday, January 18, 2020 at her home in Lake Forest, CA with her daughter and son-in-law by her side.

Eleanor was born on February 11, 1929 in Lynn, MA, the third of four children born to Jesse and Gertrude (Piper) Sutherland. Surrounded by a large extended family, their home was filled with relatives and visitors alike. Sunday afternoons always saw big gatherings for dinner, games and a sing-along around the family piano. Eleanor graduated from Wakefield High School in 1946 and began her first full time job in Boston, MA. She loved relating the stories of her many escapades riding the train into work every day with her sister Louise.

In 1948, when the Doctor suggested a move to a warmer climate due to her father’s health, the Sutherland family moved to Lancaster, CA. Eleanor soon found a job working for the local school district. One of her co-workers set up a blind date for Eleanor with a handsome young veteran turned banker, who in turn ended up being the love of her life. She married Donald D. Wortman in 1951 and they spent 61 wonderful years together until Don’s passing in 2012. They raised two daughters and lived in Huntington Beach for many years.

When her girls were older, Eleanor went back to work at AAA where she worked for 16 years as a reservation counselor. She always loved to travel and that job cemented her wanderlust. Eleanor and Don traveled from coast to coast with many trips back to New England where she showed Don her home and to Nebraska to the Wortman family farm where Don was born. They took their girls and lots of visitors on many trips throughout California and traveled several times to Hawaii, their favorite get-away. Whether 9 or 90, Eleanor loved a party and her 90t”‹h “‹Birthday party last year was a wonderful gathering that truly showed her how much she was loved.

Eleanor was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Don, brother Larry and sisters Louise and Thelma. She is survived by her daughters; Nancy Carnevale (husband Joe) and Cynthia Stafford (husband Don), 5 Grandchildren and 4 Great-Grandchildren. Dear to her heart was her beloved cat Stella who remained by her side to the end.

Eleanor will be forever missed. We are comforted knowing her memory will live on through her loving family.