Eleanor Joan (Stanage) Desmond

Eleanor Joan Desmond, 92, of Three Oaks, died peacefully, in the home she was born, Tuesday, April 18, 2023.

Her life began April 4, 1931, on her father’s birthday in Three Oaks, Michigan, the second daughter of three children born to Bert and Millie Stanage. She married John Thomas Desmond July 15, 1980, in Rock Springs, Wyoming. After twenty-nine years of marriage, he preceded her in death January 31, 2010.          

Eleanor was an avid reader, loved her cats, enjoyed playing card games, and doing puzzles, and word searches. In the 1940’s Eleanor received the name of a pen pal in England from her church. They stayed in contact since then and had many in person visits over the years. Family and friends meant a lot to Eleanor and she always enjoyed family get togethers and remembers every birthday. She loved to travel she and John made three visits to China which is where john served in WWII.

She was a 1948 graduate of Three Oaks High School. She went on to graduate in 1952 with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Teaching from Western Michigan College in Kalamazoo. She then completed her master’s degree in 1962.  Eleanor had a passion for teaching and learning, which she continued to do herself.  She taught for over thirty years. She proudly held lifetime memberships of the Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel, Berrien County Chapter, the Michigan Education Association, and the National Education Association. Eleanor was a member of Three Oaks United Methodist Church, where she was an active member of the choir.  She was also an active member in the United Methodist Women, at the local and district level. She also held memberships of the American Legion Auxiliary Post 204, the Galien Woods Historical Society, as well as the Harbor Country Historical Society.         

Eleanor will be greatly missed by family and friends.  She is survived by sister, Shirley Ripley of Charlotte; and a host of nieces, nephews and their many children and grandchildren  

She was preceded in death by her sister Marjorie Prinzing.

Family and friends will gather Friday, April 28, 2023 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. in Wagner Family Funerals Pobocik Chapel, 106 Ash Street East, Three Oaks.  Friends and family will also gather Saturday, April 29, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. until time of service at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home. 

Eleanor will be laid to rest with her beloved husband in Forest Lawn Cemetery.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Wagner Family Funerals Pobocik Chapel, Three Oaks. Please share a memory or a message online: wagnercares.com.

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