Eleanor Swonke

Eleanor Rose Swonke, 87, of Brenham, passed away on February 23, 2021. Eleanor was born on September 22, 1933 in Newfoundland, Canada to parents Michael and Rachel Power. She was 1 of 10 children. When Eleanor was 18, she relocated to New York, where she worked at Chase Manhattan, New York.

Throughout the years, Eleanor worked at Lilly Tulip Cup Corp. and Alvin Hospital. When Eleanor was not working, she was an avid reader, loved her flower garden, loved to laugh, and loved playing cards and dominoes. Both Eugene and wife Eleanor loved dancing so much they were members of the Top Cats Dance Club with numerous friends.

Eleanor was united in marriage to her first husband, Robert Blanchard and they were blessed with 4 children, sons, Edward and Bobby Blanchard, and 2 daughters, Denise Stroud and husband Terry, and Saundra Sheppard. Eleanor met and married her late husband Eugene. Eleanor was delighted to see her family grow with the addition of David and Pearl and grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her first husband Robert, husband Eugene Swonke, and all nine brothers and sisters.

Eleanor is survived by her son, Ed Blanchard and wife Laurie, Bobby Blanchard and wife Melisa, Denise Stroud and husband Terry Stroud, and Saundra Sheppard, 12 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Visitation with the family will be at Memorial Oaks Chapel on Thursday, February 25, 2021, from 4:00 p.m. until the rosary is recited at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass at St. Mary’s Catholic Church will be on Friday, February 26, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 West Main Street, Brenham, TX 77833.