Eleanor Mildred Dey

Born September 28, 1917 in South Amboy, NJ

Died May 1, 2017 (age 99) at Brighton Gardens of Raleigh, NC

From childhood, Eleanor suffered from fainting spells and fairly early from arthritis pain. Over time she had many severe illnesses, falls and surgeries, but weathered them all. Eventually, she received the 1st of 4 pacemakers, each lasting about 9 years. They changed her life, eliminating most of the fainting - although she still frequently felt “light headed” - and easing at least some of her other problems.

At some point many years ago she heard or read or just made up the phrase that became her standard tag line. If you asked how she was doing she might list a few or more of her many illnesses, aches, pains and frailties, but always close with, “Oh well, the first hundred years are the worst!” She often joked that she needed to hang on long enough to find out if it was true, but as she got older, she started to realize she might actually be able to find out and that seemed to motivate her to tough it out. She nearly did.

Eleanor worked for a number of years as a beautician but never cared for that. Eventually she landed a clerical job in Perth Amboy General Hospital, working alongside a great team of operating room nurses and socializing with many of the patients, doctors and surgeons. After a few years, a back surgery made it impossible to continue, but she forever after spoke lovingly of all the friends she made there and of the work itself.

As a teenager, she enjoyed swimming with friends in “the minnie ditch,” her name for a small cove of Raritan Bay that once existed at the end of George St. in South Amboy. As an adult, she loved to knit, crochet, embroider or do needle point while talking with friends, both in South Amboy and here in Cary. As arthritis claimed those skills, she discovered crayoning and was able to do that until a few months ago.

She was married to William (Bill) Dey from 1936 until his death in 1990, but continued to consider herself married to him and wore her wedding ring until the moment of her own passing. Also preceded by her brother, Billy McGinty and parents George and Lena McGinty.

Eleanor was caregiver for each of those four in their last stages of life. After Billy, when she was age 88, she moved from the place she had known all her life to Weatherstone Spring Apartments in Cary, to be near son Bob. The two went to many classical music concerts and took many rides and day-trips, even returning to NJ for a week-long trip to pay surprise visits to her many friends there. She kept her own apartment, preparing most of her own meals. But after a fateful fall in the apartment at age 97 resulted in a broken arm (“In 3 places!” she liked to point out), she moved to Brighton Gardens of Raleigh.

Survived by her one child, Bob (Robert) Dey; daughter-in-law Nancy Dey; 3 grandchildren: Christopher Dey of Raleigh, Tim Dey soon to be of Richmond VA and Alison Hall of Blacksburg SC; and 4 great-grandchildren.

Arrangements are through Brown-Wynne, Cary. She will be interred next to husband Bill in Cloverleaf Memorial Cemetery, Woodbridge NJ. A brief graveside service is planned. Donations may be made in her name to Trinity Methodist Church, South Amboy NJ; First Reformed Church of Cary, NC; and the American Heart Association.

Many, many thanks to all the medical professionals who helped Eleanor throughout her life and to all the friends and distant relatives who have loved, helped and encouraged her and kept her in their thoughts and prayers. A special shout-out to the entire staff of Brighton Gardens of Raleigh for their compassionate care in her final years and Transitions LifeCare in her final days. And finally a big hurrah for Wilson Greatbatch - inventor of the pacemaker!