Obituary of Eleanor L. Heller

Eleanor Louise Heller, 78, died peacefully Sunday Morning at New Britain General Hospital following a strong and honorable battle with chronic leukemia. She passed with those who loved her by her side holding her hand. Eleanor, or "Auntie Nor" as everyone called her, will be remembered for how she lived - joyfully, courageously, independently, and always full of love and caring- happy to give anything she had to another who either wanted or needed it more. After working most of her life as a full-time telephone operator with Southern New England Telephone, Auntie Nor was finally able to retire and enjoy life, which to her meant spending more time with her family and the people she cared about. Her greatest joys came from the simplest things, whether it was a beautiful drive on a clear fall day or the sounds of joy and laughter from the children she adored, which she treasured most. Auntie Nor leaves behind many friends at Franklin Square Manor, where she lived for almost twenty years, and Jefferson House, where she resided during the latter stages of her illness. She also leaves behind a large family of brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, now living scattered across the country, but in almost all of whose upbringing she lent a kind hand. And finally, Auntie Nor leaves behind her "little ones", Haley, Reilly, Kyle and Mallory Sirois and Baelen Kaufmann - all of whom she spoke about daily and to whom she would have given the moon if she could have. "Dear Auntie Nor, you were like a mother to so many of us- always willing to listen and provide gentle counsel when we needed it. All of our lives were better for you having been a part of them. We love you and will miss you more than we can say." Funeral services will be held on Friday at 9:30 AM at the Farrell Funeral Home, 110 Franklin Sq. New Britain with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 AM at St. Joseph Church, New Britain. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, New Britain. Friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday evening from 5-7 P.M.