Eleanor ‘Ellie’ Marshall Beals
Eleanor “Ellie” Marshall Beals, 90, a lifelong resident of Nashua, passed away peacefully following a brief illness on Friday, June 17, 2022.
She was born on Sept. 25, 1931, in Nashua, the daughter of the late Roy F. and Kittie (Grover) Marshall; six brothers, Lewis, Theodore, William, John, James and George; and one sister Gladys Marshall. The last surviving sister is Carol P. Marshall.
Eleanor graduated from Nashua High School in 1949. During high school, she worked at Brockelmans. One rainy day when the donuts were being made, there was a knock on the window, and Al Rock asked her to come outside and talk on the radio, and she was thrilled to do so. After high school, she worked at the New England Telephone Company as an operator from 1950 -1955, until they changed to dial, and had lasting friendships with Rachel Hill, Lucille Champagne and Betty Herrick, phone operators that worked alongside her.
She married her high school sweetheart, Alpheus Beals Jr., in 1953. They had five children together, and were married for 58 years until he passed on Oct. 29, 2011. Family meant everything to her, and she made sure we grew up always feeling loved.
When Eleanor’s last child, Cindy, entered junior high school, she decided to go back to work at Rivier College in housekeeping, retiring 17 years later, gaining lasting friendships with Claudette Tellier, the Sisters and many co-workers.
She loved her home and enjoyed working in the garden, planting flowers and enjoying the yard. She also loved knitting, especially hats, and blankets for those in need. In colder months when all the gardening was done, Eleanor made jigsaw puzzles, which brought her much joy. Baking cookies, cakes and breads was another fun pastime for her, and shared them with family and friends.
Many summer trips were spent at Sebago Lake with her close friends, “The Ladies of the Lake,” Rowena, Eva, Carol, Pat and Betty.
Pilgrim Congregational Church was very important to her. Eleanor was an active caregiver to the sick and shut-ins. She was member of the church choir since she was a teen. She also was the flower chairperson and a member of the Pilgrim Ladies. She loved her church.
She is survived by her children, Douglas Beals and his wife, Susan, of Nashua; Debra Dooley and her husband, James, of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Wayne Beals and his wife, Julie, of Warner, New Hampshire; Cynthia Morelli and her husband, Trey, of Keene, New Hampshire; Mark Hanscom and partner, Laura Gill, of Bedford, New Hampshire; and predeceased by her daughter, Cheryl Dugas, of Nashua.
A beloved Nana to her 10 grandchildren, Jeffrey Beals and his wife, Brittany; Evan Beals; Scott Leggett; Samuel Leggett; Kathleen Ryan; Sean Ryan; Angela Vroom Givant and husband, Paul; Adam Dugas; Abby Rae Burke and husband, Chris; Alex Dugas and wife, Kate; Jordan Merring and her husband, Bradley; and Nick Marcellino Jr. She also enjoyed her five great-grandchildren, Maverick, Levi, Saskia, Cole and Devin.
SERVICES: A celebration of life will be held at Pilgrim Congregational Church, 4 Watson St., Nashua on Friday July 8, 2022, at 10 a.m. The DAVIS FUNERAL HOME, One Lock St., Nashua is assisting the family with arrangements. An online guest book is available at www.davisfuneralhomenh.com, 603-883-3401, “ONE MEMORY LIGHTS ANOTHER.”
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pilgrim Congregational Church.
Mom was a friend to many and always willing to share a hug and a smile. She was the “Light of Life.” The family requests you attend wearing a “hint of pink” in any form or fashion in remembrance of her favorite color.