"Rather Be Dancing"
Managed the Church World Service CROP office in Rocky Hill
(December 30, 1926 - July 4, 2023)
Eleanor Mary Parke Young, of Rocky Hill died on July 4 in Hunterdon Medical Center, Flemington, at the grand age of 96.
Born December 30, 1926, she was daughter to Myrtle and William V. Parke of Princeton. Eleanor was the second oldest of five children.
A longtime resident of both Princeton and Rocky Hill, Eleanor enjoyed her last 12 years residing in Irvington, VA, Elkridge, MD and Ringoes, NJ with loved ones.
While attending Princeton High School during the height of WWII, she began working as a Switchboard Operator on Nassau Street at Bell Telephone Company. On April 11, 1947, at the age of 20, Eleanor Parke married Otto T. Young Jr., her hometown sweetheart. Together, they shared a beautiful marriage of nearly 30 years before Otto's untimely passing. They were blessed with their three daughters and continued to reside in Rocky Hill.
Eleanor was an avid dancer. The family cherished her story of auditioning for the Radio City Rockettes but she realized city life was not for her. Eleanor carried her talent for dance through life, quickly finding the dance floor to jitterbug, tap dancing in her basement, and in later years becoming a Philadelphia Mummer with The Happy Days String Band. She graced parades with elaborate feathered costumes and white gloved hands. She entertained with the best of them, and kept everyone on their toes with her endless energy. Given the opportunity when asked, Eleanor would always "Rather Be Dancing."
While keeping an impeccable home, Eleanor dedicated much of her professional life to Mid Atlantic Hospital Association, as assistant convention manager, and to Church World Service CROP, where she managed the Rocky Hill office. She retired in 1997 and remained in her hometown of Rocky Hill, enjoying and maintaining her spectacular peony garden and beloved koi pond. She enjoyed winter trips to Florida, and "tootling" to Ringoes, Baltimore, and Phoenix to visit family.
Eleanor was a member of the Rocky Hill Reformed Church, Rocky Hill Fire Department Auxiliary, Eastern Star, Red Hat Society, and The Princeton Soroptimists Club. While living in Irvington, VA, Eleanor volunteered at the local food pantry and thrift shop. She took pride in the level of support she and her colleagues provided to the local community.
She was a gifted letter writer and enjoyed putting pen to paper and sharing her heartfelt thoughts. She always remembered everyone's birthday and prided herself by sending musical greeting cards to great grand-children and loved ones. She scripted beautiful letters adorned with a rose sticker by her signature making everyone feel loved. Christmas morning was not complete without her annual Christmas poem and lovingly decorated envelopes nestled in the Christmas tree.
Eleanor's grandchildren have fond memories of playing dress up at her vanity, and enjoying sweet Lipton iced tea and Entenmann's chocolate cake on her patio. It became a tradition for her to take grandchildren for their driver's tests in her Blue Buick Skylark, and give personalized handmade photo albums on their 18th Birthdays.
Eleanor's sweet tooth was legendary. She perfected the peanut butter and jelly bean sandwich, always had Juicy Fruit gum in her handbag, taught her great grandchildren to expect Dove chocolate on her bedside stand, and never turned down a piece of cake.
Eleanor is survived by her daughters: Carolyn (Benjamin) Embrey-Foose of Show Low, AZ; Deborah (late Theodore) Cook of Elkridge, MD; and Beverly (Robert) Cramer of Ringoes, NJ.
She is also surved by her grandchildren: Larry (Leslie) Embrey of Tacoma, WA, Peter (Cathy) Cook of Frankfort, IL, Melissa (Aaron) Fetterolf of Millers, MD, David (Kellie) Cramer of Hopewell, NJ, and Kristin (Adam) Boozer of Elkridge, MD. She leaves 14 great-grandchildren; Jackson, Bowen, Hannah, Eleanor, Rebecca, Tadd, Whitaker, Temperance, David, Austin, Koal, Declan, Liam, Kaitlyn, and great-great-grandchild Oliver.
She was reunited in Heaven with her loving husband, Otto, grandson, Scott, brothers, William, Garrett, Allen, sister, Ruth, and son-in-law, Theodore Cook.
Eleanor wore many hats and adorned many titles. She was lovingly referred to as, Mom, Mom-mom, Gigi, and Aunt Elle. She never closed a written letter or shared a personal greeting without a heartfelt hug and, "I love you a bushel and a peck." It was Eleanor's signature. She was truly a spectacular woman, and lived a beautiful, rewarding life.
The family requests memorial gifts be given to a charity of your choice.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 15, at 11 am in the Kimble Funeral Home, 1 Hamilton Avenue, Princeton. Calling hours will be held, preceding the service, beginning at 10 am. Burial at Rocky Hill Cemetery, Montgomery Avenue, Rocky Hill, immediately following.
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