Mrs. Eleanor Hannum Bahel, 90, of Kennett Square, died Friday, Jan. 21, at Ware Presbyterian Village in Oxford. She was the wife of the late George Steele Bahel Jr., who died in 1994. Eleanor and George enjoyed more than 40 years of marriage. Born on Aug. 24, 1931, in Avondale, Eleanor was a 1949 graduate of Avon Grove High School, where she was proud to be a cheerleader. Growing up in the Avondale and Chatham areas, she maintained many lifelong friendships from the Chatham community. Eleanor and friends enjoyed roller skating at the Avon Grove Roller Rink, swimming at Rosazza’s Orchard and Wingate’s Pond, sledding at the Chatham playground, and many school activities.
Ellie was active in the Chatham United Methodist Church from childhood until she was married there in 1954. After marriage, she moved to Longwood and then to Kennett Square, where she raised her family and again established many lifelong friends. In the early 1960s, Eleanor moved her church membership to and raised her family at the First Baptist Church of Kennett Square.
Throughout her life, Eleanor worked for DuPont Experimental Station as a bookkeeper and worked at the Chatham Post Office. She also delivered mushrooms to Atlantic City and delivered flowers for Fancy Branches of Kennett Square and Sweet Peas of Jennersville.
In her free time, Ellie loved taking care of her family and spending time at Rehoboth Beach with her husband, children, grandchildren, and friends. She enjoyed playing bridge at Bridge Club and at Kennett Grange. She also enjoyed card games, “chicken-foot dominoes” and “pennies” with her friends at The Kennett Senior Center and Luther House. She would always be found taking a carload of kids to the movies, to the roller-skating rink, to Jimmy-John’s hot dog stand, or to Bunny’s Ice Cream.
Eleanor had a gift for remembering dates and recalling memories from the past with great detail. She was a wealth of information about the history of Chatham and Kennett Square and the families that lived there. One of her favorite activities was reminiscing about family memories and sharing family genealogy with her children and grandchildren. She never missed a birthday or anniversary.
Eleanor is survived by her three children: Thomas Bahel (wife Sandra), Laura Schiltz (late husband Paul) and James Bahel (wife Corbi); eight grandchildren: Jaclyn Bahel Cummings (husband Jason), Deanna Bahel, Jenna Bahel, Kyle Schiltz, Kevin Schiltz, Kalvin Bahel, Kameron Bahel and Kassidy Bahel; three great-grandchildren: Charlotte Cummings, Jacob Cummings, and Matthew Cummings; a sister: Jeannette “Nettie” Bartoli; and a sister-in-law: Elizabeth “Betty” Bahel.
When her first grandchild, Jaclyn, came along in 1984, Eleanor was named “Mema” and that is what she has been known as since. Ellie loved celebrating holidays and birthdays with family and her nieces, Dawn Bartoli Welte and Lisa Bartoli Adams, and nephews, Steve Bahel and Chuckie Bartoli.
The family would like to thank the staff and caregivers at Ware Presbyterian Village (Rosewood Skilled Nursing) for the outstanding care and loving treatment that Mema received these last several years.
Friends will be received on Saturday, Jan. 29, from 10 – 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church, 415 W. State St., Kennett Square, PA 19348, followed by a service at 11. Interment will follow at Union Hill Cemetery, Kennett Square. Memorial contributions can be made to Ware Presbyterian Village in Oxford. Arrangements are being handled by the Kuzo Funeral Home; please visit Eleanor’s online memorial by going to www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com
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