In Loving Memory
(http://seniorlearn.org/images/fleurdelis.jpg) (http://www.seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/eloiseSC2.jpg) (http://seniorlearn.org/images/fleurdelis.jpg)
Éloïse De Pelteau
Discussion Leader, Hôtesse Extraordinaire et chère, chère Amie
(http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/bookfests/NYCEloisemarquis.jpg) (http://www.seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/NYCtrip/EloiseNY.jpg)(http://www.seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/eloiseSC.jpg)
And yet again we've lost another bright light here on SeniorLearn. It's with great sadness that I heard of Eloise's passing. It hasn't even been a year since we saw her in NYC!
Eloise, always elegant, beautiful, a master chef as we found out at Books at the Beach at The Isle of Palms, and whose great love was her children and family. You couldn't have a conversation with Eloise and not hear about them all, how proud she was of them.
In NYC however, Eloise shone. Ride the train from Canada to NYC? Not a problem. Dragging heavy suitcases? Get from Penn Station to our hotel? Not a problem! She was amazing!
Everyone was enchanted by her spirit and good will. We took a boat ride around NYC. The wind was howling, it was cold, threatening rain, drizzling, alternating with blistering sun, everybody ran for the stairs to get out from the burning sun/ wind/ possible rain. Yours truly and some other less hardy souls sat below all the action but Eloise, not content with blowing away topside, came below and went right out on the rail, wanting to savor it all.
(http://seniorlearn.org/latin/graphics/nyc2010eloiose.jpg)
She was an indefatigable good sport, and appreciated and enjoyed everything to the fullest. Her glass was 7/8ths full no matter what. She brought my 4 year old grandson some books in French to NYC, and he was thrilled to be able to hear and see Cars in another language. She led our book discussion of Les Peregrines IN French and I don't think any of us will ever forget her positive kind approach to our awful French, it was wonderful. We were still talking/ laughing about it in NYC.
And now Eloise and her bright spirit have left us, but she's left behind a wonderful example to anybody of what aging ought to be like, and memories of wonderful friendship. We will never forget her. I hope if other people have more photos of Eloise they will bring them here, too.