Mrs. Eleanor Agnes (Samp) Watkins was born at home, with the data, thereof, entered into the family bible. Becoming the fifth, youngest, child of John and Eleanor (Logcki) Samp of Chicago, Illinois society. She was baptized at St. Nicholas Catholic Church. Prior to John Samp’s death, in 1936, the family owned and operated a successful furniture business. Ms. Watkins recalled a sense of joy and comfort in the home. Navigating and depression years, Mrs. Eleanor Agatha Samp with no formal training, poor advice, and only a $10,000 life insurance policy taken out by her late husband, saw the family circumstances had changed.
In 1937, Eleanor Agatha Samp remarried. Frank M. Golupski was a widower bringing two children in the union. Four additional children were born during this marriage, for a total of 11 siblings. During this time the family relocated to Indiana.
As a child, Eleanor Agnes Samp attended St. Casimire Elementary School then New Carlisle High School. She worked at Bonnie Dunes as a waitress while sharing an apartment with her sister, Mary. With time, Eleanor secured employment at the Wilson Brothers Company, as a seamstress working a three-needled machine. Advancement came in the form as a “quality control agent”. Related directly to the quality of “piece mill” work being assembled on the floors. At this time, the Dunivent and Golupski Families resided in the same neighborhood. Kenneth and Eleanor became acquainted then married in 1950. Their only child, Kathleen, was born in 1955. They divorced in 1958.
Mrs. Eleanor married Mr. Norbert Watkins, Sr. of South Bend, Indiana. The circle of family grew with the arrival of each child. In 1970, with the desire to open up new avenues of opportunities for themselves as well as their prodigy, the family relocated to Colorado. The Mid-Western family fell in love with the majestic mountain ranges, the history of Colorado and the climate. With time the family station wagon was replaced by a blazer, which enabled the handsomely aged couple to continue to visit “the mountains”.
There were seasons in her life, when Mrs. Watkins worked outside of the home at Euser’s Greenouse and Stonebreaker Fireworks. Her faith in God was her foundation, which enabled her to navigate the terrain of life. St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church, of Greeley, CO, became the family’s home parish. In April of 2008, the couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.
Politics, religion and sports were among topics addressed at family gatherings. She loved when the families gathered for whatever the celebration, as the matriarch of the Colorado family branch; and served as Queen Eleanor II of the Gentlewomen of Red Hat Society, a Greeley chapter.
Family always came first to Eleanor and she was always there to help see to their needs. She enjoyed crocheting, playing card games and doing crossword puzzles. She loved animals, was a fan of Elvis and collected dolls.
Mrs. Eleanor Watkins died Wednesday, July 20, 2016 at Life Care Center of Greeley.
Survivors are her children, Kathleen (Ray) Alvarado and Robert Watkins both of Greeley, Marsha Peterson and Mary (Ken) Umbaurger both of South Bend, Indiana, Rev. N. Jeffrey (Mona) Watkins of Greeley, Colorado, Paul (Christine) Watkins of Cheyenne,Wyoming and Stan Sr. (Linda) Watkins of Brighton and John (Bill) Watkins of of Longmont. A living legacly of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and godchildren, who it is believed will enrich the world. She is also survived by her siblings, Frank II (Marianne) Golupski and Lucille Stineback.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Norbert, parents, John Samp and Frank and Eleanor Golupski, grandchildren, Cheryl Watkins and Abigail Ontiveros, son-in-law, Darwin Peterson, brothers, John Samp, Jr. and Harry Prybo and sisters, Dorothy Golubski, Joan Stineback, Mary Dobrzykowski, Rita Sommers, Dorothy Richardson and Theresa Ullery.
Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 26, 2016 with Recitation of the Rosary at 7:00 p.m. both at Stoddard Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 9:30 a.m. Friday, July 29, 2016 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church. Internment will follow at Linn Grove Cemetery.
Please sign the online guestbook at www.stoddardsunset.com.
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