Eleanor Barbara (Barany) Gilroy
Eleanor Barbara (Barany) Gilroy, 89, passed away March 3, 2012. She was born Sept. 15, 1922, in South Bend, Ind., to immigrant parents from Hungary, Veronica Ann Fekete and Emery Andrew Barany.
Eleanor received her Bachelor of Science degree from St. Mary's College, Notre Dame, Ind., in 1944. It was at a Notre Dame "Tea Dance" where she met, Tom Gilroy, the love of her life, and continued to polka and waltz with him for 62 years of marriage.
They moved to Phoenix, Ariz., in 1952 and were active members of St. Francis Xavier Parish.
Eleanor shared her many talents as a home economist with the young women of Xavier College Prep for 10 years. She could tailor a suit, reupholster a sofa and decorate a wedding cake, all in a day's work. While at Xavier, one of her fondest memories was a class she designed and taught for the young men of Brophy College Prep entitled "Bachelor Survival."
Her mentoring and creative talents continued to foster many young men and women at Snowflake High School in Snowflake, Ariz., where she not only taught home economics but also designed and sewed many of the costumes for their school musicals.
Tom and Eleanor retired to Pinetop-Lakeside, Ariz., in 1980 and opened Ye Olde Curiosity Shoppe, where they enjoyed the happiest days of their retirement. Eleanor, aka: "Grandma Lori," will always be remembered for her homemade dinners, fabulous Thanksgiving and Fourth of July gatherings, and giggling as she shared M&Ms in church with her grandchildren!