Eleanor Burdon Rand
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Died December 3, 2020 in Indianapolis. She was born November 22, 1928 in Ware, Massachusetts the second of four children of the late Reverend Harold C. Burdon and Dorothy(Wheet) Burdon. Eleanor grew up in Newington, Connecticut and spent summers in Naples, Maine. She graduated from Newington High School and Teachers College of Connecticut. During the summer of 1948 while working as a waitress at the Basin Harbor Club in Vergennes, Vermont she met the love of her life Robert (Bob ) Rand on a blind date. Upon returning to her dorm, she announced to her friends, she'd met the man she was going to marry. On June 2, 1951 she and Bob were married and shared 51 wonderful years prior to Bob's death in 2002.
They settled in Hanover, Bob working at the family business, Rand Funeral Home, and Eleanor teaching first grade before the birth of her first child. She was a stay at home mom, but an active member of the Mary Hitchcock Hospital Auxiliary. She worked at the Pink Smock, and held a variety of positions including president of the auxiliary. She worked for a number of years as a supervisor of the voter registration list in Hanover, and was a deacon at the Church of Christ at Dartmouth College.
Eleanor loved to cook and was a gracious hostess at their homes in Hanover, Lake Morey and Delray Beach. Their home was always busy. It was a great gathering place for a wide range of people, from Hitchcock docs to the men who worked for the town, Dartmouth students, the clergy and her kids' friends, everyone was always welcome.
Upon retirement, Eleanor and Bob moved to Delray Beach, Florida where they enjoyed their intra coastal water front home. Eleanor was active on the board of their condo association and social committee. She loved to sew dresses and Halloween costumes for her granddaughter, she crafted beautiful quilts, knitted sweaters, and tried at least one new recipe a week. Eleanor waged a daily battle with the New York Times crossword puzzle, some days successful and others not! Following Bob's death, she moved to Indianapolis to be close to her family. She took great pleasure in hosting Manhattan Fridays at her lakeside condo for friends. Many stories were told, world problems discussed and an abundance of laughter shared.
While robbed of her ability to speak clearly in her later years, she remained feisty and made her feelings known by a look and pointing her crooked finger in your direction.
She is survived by her daughter and son in law, Dot and Joe Jeffrey of Indianapolis, granddaughter, Caitlin Jeffrey of Indianapolis, sister Natalie DeVan (Glenn) of Old Saybrook, Ct, brother Harold Burdon, Jr. of Plantation, Florida and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, husband, son Robert, Jr. and sister Kathryn Naegeli.
Due to COVID, services will be held at a later date.
To view an online memorial and or send a message of condolence to the family, please visit, www.rand-wilson.com.
Rand-Wilson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.