Eleanor (Van Buskirk) Harris
August 22, 1907 — September 22, 2011
Send a Sympathy Card
Past Services
Visitation
Celebration of Life
Eleanor (Van Buskirk) Harris
Eleanor Van Buskirk was born in Melrose on August 22, 1907, one of six children of the late Robert L. and Anne (Westman) Van Buskirk.Raised in Melrose, she was a graduate of Melrose High School, Class of 1925 and Westfield State Teachers College.
As a very talented young musician, she started playing the piano at age 7, sang soprano at the organ dedication at Memorial Hall at age 12, and was the youngest player in the Melrose Symphony Orchestra at age 14. She also sang for the Boston Light Opera Co. when she was 21.Eleanor and her future husband, Robert S. Harris, met while she was singing for the WBZ radio station in Boston. She taught piano for over 40 years and was a member of the Polymnia Choral Society.Mrs. Harris was a longtime member and significant contributor of the Beethoven Society of Melrose.She was known for her handsewn traditional gowns and costumes which she would wear while performing.
She was a woman small in stature, but large in her years of life accomplishments.A Melrose junior high and elementary school teacher, many students remember her as a quick witted and inspiring teacher.She was the author of three books.One of which detailed her experiences as the mother of a US Navy Lieutenant who was imprisoned for 11 months in North Korea.Her home on Boston Rock Road where she lived for over 50 years was a local landmark for holding wedding ceremonies and community events.The house, known as "Ledgewinds" sits high atop the hill overlooking Pine Banks Park andthe Boston skyline.
For many years, Mrs. Harris was the organist at Winter Hill Congregational Church in Somerville and a member of Trinity Church in Melrose.
Eleanor was the beloved wife of the late Robert S. Harris with whom she shared 25 years of marriage.Devoted mother of Stephen R. Harris, Lt. CMDR US Navy Ret. and his wife Beth of Melrose.Mother-in-law of the late Esther U. Harris.Dear sister of the late Gordon W., Gilbert F., Willard S., Alden L., Col. US Air Force, and Robert E. Van Buskirk.Cherished grandmother of Christiana L. Harris of Melrose, Colby G. Harris of OR, Robert S. Harris, II and his wife Maria of Malden, and Eric J. Holmes and his wife Frances of Arlington.Loving great-grandmother of Stephen Jones, Kaitlyn Jones, Madilyn Harris all of Melrose, and Camilla Holmes of Arlington.
Funeral Service in celebration of Eleanor's life at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose on Saturday, October 1 at 11 AM.Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours on Saturday from 9AM-11AM.Interment in Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody.
Gifts in Eleanor's honor may be made to Hallmark Health VNA and Hospice, 178 Savin St., Ste. 300, Malden, MA 02148.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Eleanor (Van Buskirk) Harris, please visit our flower store.
Past Services
Visitation
Saturday, October 1, 2011
9:00 - 11:00 am
Robinson Funeral Home
Celebration of Life
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Starts at 11:00 am
Robinson Funeral Home
Photo Gallery
Guestbook
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
