Plan for the Future
Eleanor Ranucci Potito passed away peacefully on February 12 (at Lower Cape Fear LifeCare), where she had been a resident for a week just shy of her 101st birthday. She was born in Newark, NJ on February 23, 1921 and lived most of those years in Newark and Springfield, NJ. Her last 4 years were spent in Leland, NC with son Paul Potito and wife Gail Potito where she was kept active with many new friends.
Eleanor lived a very full and healthy life, making friends and staying close to her many relatives for her entire life. She spent many years as an active member of Springfield Senior Citizens. She lived the past 5 months at Arbor Landing in Leland, NC, quickly being renamed “The Queen” by staff and fellow residents. Her love of music had her singing right up until very recently. Her precious cell phone had her using all her minutes every month with constant conversations among dozens of people. She kept them all straight, too, and told stories of each until the very end. Her mind was very sharp throughout her long life.
Eleanor was married to Angelo, a Purple Heart recipient, in 1942 (deceased in 1986) and had a daughter Linda Barca (passed 2006) and son Paul (now living in Leland, NC his wife Gail), and son-in-law Jorge (Union, NJ). She had 4 grandchildren, with whom she spoke regularly: Jared Potito and wife Jennifer, Springfield, NJ; Aaron Potito and wife Valerie of Galway, Ireland; Jamie Ciampi and husband Anthony of Warren, NJ; and Kristen Wilson and husband Kevin of Katy, TX. She was most proud of having 7 great-grandchildren (Samantha, Zachary, Eoin, Liam, Conor, Santino, and Antonio).
Visitation will be at Bradley, Smith & Smith Funeral Home, 415 Morris Avenue, Springfield, NJ 07081 on Friday, February 18 from 4:00-8:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, Eleanor would welcome donations to her favorite charity, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Eleanor Potito Memorial Fund.
