Obituary

Eleanor Rose Wilson Howard
December 21, 1928 – July 14, 2023

Eleanor (Ellen, El) Rose (Wilson) Howard passed away at age 94 peacefully in her home after succumbing to cancer. Eleanor was surrounded by her three loving daughters and her supportive caregiver as she quietly slipped away. Prior to her passing she received an outpouring of love from family and friends who visited and called into her final days to express their gratitude and appreciation.

Eleanor was a daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and a dear friend to all who knew her. Eleanor was born in St. Lous Missouri to Clifford Wilson and Rose Mazza Wilson. She graduated from Rosati-Kain high school in 1946 and worked at Laclede Gas Company in St. Louis from 1947 to 1958. Eleanor met Leslie Howard and they were married in 1951. Eleanor attended Florida Medical College in 1972 and became a Medical Assistant in O’Fallon Illinois. She later worked at the O’Fallon Public Library for 6 years where she retired in 2000. Eleanor and Leslie later retired in Laguna Niguel, Ca after many years of travel in the United States Air Force. She spent her retirement doing philanthropic work for many organizations. Among them were Christian Services St. Edwards Church, Meals on Wheels San Juan Capistrano, Laguna Niguel Senior Center, Officers Wives Vice President in France, and Girl Scout Leader in St. Louis Missouri. Ellen was a talented ballet dancer in her youth and was known to be passionate about ballet, the arts, and her strong Catholic faith throughout her life.

Eleanor had a heart of gold and her kindness and love expanded far beyond her close circle. She was known for her beautiful smile, kindness, compassion and generosity to those in need. Ellen’s family and friends were her highest priority, and she was adored by her grandchildren who cherished their visits to her house in Laguna Niguel well into adulthood. She was beloved by her extended family for her kindness and joyful demeanor. Ellen loved to chat — she was a gifted conversationalist and astute listener who maintained her witty personality into her final stage of life. Her lifelong compassion for those in need propelled her to become more vocal in her political views while observing the current events of the last 5 years, which delighted some of her grandchildren who loved to chat with her about the news of the day.

Ellen was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years Leslie Howard, and her brothers Worth (Julia) and Don (June) Wilson. Ellen is survived by three daughters Susan (Ray) Leiber, Diane (Scott) Cuyler, Jeanne (Quinn) Howard, brother Paul (Carol) Wilson, grandchildren Brian Gandolfo, Katherine Cuyler, Madeline Cuyler, Jessica Kemp and Johnny Kemp, great grandsons Zion Gandolfo and Lucas Bierman, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Special thanks to April Gemora and Lisa La Scalla who’s love and friendship for over a decade brought light and enrichment to Ellen’s life in her last years. To the team at Home Hospice, Caregiver Irene Roxas, and Doctor Raef Elsanadi for providing compassionate, comforting, stabilizing care. To her eldest daughter Susan Leiber who selflessly spent the first six years of her retirement as Ellen’s full time caregiver in Ellen’s home in Laguna Niguel. And to her daughter Jeanne Howard whose time living with Ellen offered companionship and nurtured her sense of play into the last stage of her life, and her daughter Diane whose regular visits and unconditional support were known to bring Ellen joy, stability, and light.

Funeral Service St. Timothy’s Catholic Church on August 2, 2023 @ 10:00 am
29102 Crown Valley Parkway Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
The burial will follow at 2:30pm at Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego.

Donations may be made to Covenant House Supporting At-Risk Youth.