1921 – 2013

RUMFORD — Eleanor M. Deanis Ames, 92, died Thursday, Nov. 28, at the Rumford Community Home. She was a resident of Granite Street in Mexico.

Born in Danville, Vt., on Oct. 17, 1921, she was a daughter of Harry and Ruth (Spidell) Beck. She was a graduate of Stephens High School, Class of 1939. Eleanor was one of the first women after World War II to fill what was considered to be a man’s job at the Rumford Paper Mill. She then worked for SAD 43 as a secretary, starting at Abbott School and retiring 22 years later, in 1991, from Meroby School.

She was a 24-year member of the Farrington-Morton Cemetery Association, a member of the Mexico Congregational Church and the Ladies Aide at the church. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Eleanor married Joseph Deanis in 1943, and was widowed in 1961. She then married Clyde “Stretch” Ames in 1963, and was again widowed in 1982.

Survivors include a son, Barry Deanis and his wife, Cyndi, of Rumford; a son, Gerald Deanis and his wife, Helen, of Roxbury; a daughter, Phyllis Nicols and her husband, James, of Mexico; grandchildren, Jodie Wilson and her husband, Doug, Kim Moore and her husband, Clay, Jim Nicols and his wife, Carlene, Billy Nicols and his wife, Pam, Scott Nicols and his wife, Liz, Philip Broomhall and his companion, Alan, Brenda Doucette and her husband, Lee, Gary Broomhall and his companion, Judy, Sherry Tidswell and her companion, Greg, Ernie Cloutier and his wife, Gena, Christopher Haynes and his companion, Tasha, Lindsay Haynes and her companion, Nathan and Eric Deanis. She also had 22 great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her father, Harry Beck; her mother, Ruth Spidell; her stepfather, Omer Spidell; a brother, Robert Beck; a sister, Eva Saunders; a daughter, Sally Cloutier and her husband, Ernie Cloutier; a daughter, Patricia Broomhall; and two grandchildren, Jerry Deanis and Randall Deanis and his wife, Leslie, and their two children.

Friends and relatives are invited to sign the online guest book and share memories with the family at www.meaderandson.com.