NORWAY — Eleanor Gordon (Harris) Suomela, 94, died peacefully on Wednesday, April 4.

She was born Jan. 2, 1918, in Buckfield, the oldest daughter of Helen Clarendon (Gordon) Harris and Wade Armon Harris Sr. Her early years were spent on Roundabout Farm in Buckfield and on a farm on Tory Hill in Phillips. A connection gained there with the natural world remained a constant throughout her life. She graduated from high school in Buckfield and attended Farmington Normal School for one year.

Eleanor met her future husband, Niilo Suomela at a Saturday night dance and they were married in 1938. They moved to Connecticut, where they built a home in Kensington and lived for more than 30 years. Their daughter, Janet Suomela Compton was born in 1941. They returned to Buckfield upon Niilo’s retirement and lived in the same home where they were married.

They were active members of the Finnish American Heritage Society and spent many happy hours together dancing traditional Finnish folk dances. Eleanor pursued an active and healthy lifestyle and enjoyed figure skating, hiking, climbing mountains and watching birds. Her happiest times were spent in the woods, staying in a simple log cabin she built with her family.

She leaves a sister, Anna Trundy of Hebron; in addition to her daughter, she leaves a granddaughter, Kirstii Compton of Manchester, Conn.; a great-granddaughter, April Compton, also of Manchester, Conn.; nephews and nieces, Phillip Trundy of Buckfield, Joan Clough of Hebron, Annette Jones of Turner, Barbara Warren of Buckfield, Richard Harris of Buckfield, Judith Harris of Augusta, Patricia Harris of Hartford, John Suomela, Richard Suomela and Walter Suomela of Norway and Michael Suomela of Topsham.

She was predeceased by her brother, Wade Harris Jr.

Love and thanks to the folks at Norway Rehabilitation and Living Center for the supporting world they create.

Online condolences may be shared with her family at www.chandlerfunerals.com.