Eleanor F. O’Meara, of Waukon, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2007 at VNA Hospice Center in Valparaiso. She was 88.

She was born Feb. 3, 1919 in Waukon, Iowa, the daughter of Mary F. (Daly) Davis and Canute A. Kaveny.

Eleanor married Joseph Clare O’Meara on June 26, 1942, and moved to Chicago. The couple raised their family in the Chicago area, where she worked as an industrial nurse for over 40 years, until returning to live in Waukon in 1987 following their retirements.

She is survived by two children, a son, Daniel O’Meara of Beverly Shores and a daughter, Mary Ann (John) Blackburn of Green Bay, Wis.; two grandsons, Gregory (Graciela), Blackburn of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. and Daniel Blackburn of Minneapolis, Minn.; two sisters, Darlene (nee Davis) Van Ham of North Aurora, Ill. and Elaine (nee Davis) and husband James Ward of Waukon, Iowa; friends, Evelyn (nee Ryan) Burke of Waukon and Catherine Quinlan of Chicago and numerous nieces and nephews.

She wa preceded in death by her mother, Mary Davis; her husband, Joseph O’Meara; a brother, Thomas J. Kaveny and a sister, Margaret McCarty.

Eleanor was baptized and confirmed at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, attended St. Patrick’s School and graduated from Waukon High School. Following high school she attended St. Charles School of Nursing in Aurora, Ill and earned an RN degree.

She was a lifetime member of St. Patrick’s in Waukon. She enjoyed quilting and baking as well as spending time with her family and friends. After losing her husband 20 years ago, she also lost her hearing, but never lost her positive attitude and joyful spirit and she learned to use the computer and TDD in order to communicate with others. During her most recent years, she was extremely thankful for the attentive care given to her by sister Elaine Ward and friend Evelyn Burke of Waukon and the compassionate staffs of Thornton Heights and Thornton Manor in Lansing, Iowa and the VNA Hospice Center in Valparaiso.

Funeral services, Fr. Joseph Schneider officiating were Saturday, Sept. 15 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Waukon. Interment was at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to VNA Hospice Center, 501 Marquette St., Valparaiso, IN 46383.

Online condolences may be left at martinfunerals.com

Posted 9/18/2007