Eleanor "Tommie" Saunders

Eleanor “Tommie” Saunders passed away peacefully on October 8, 2021 having lived with Alzheimer’s Disease for over a decade. She was predeceased by her parents, Arthur C. Saunders, Jr. and Martha M. Saunders as well as her longtime companion, Claudia Beardsley. Her cherished friendship with neighbor Kohe Nagakura (Naga) extended to fishing, cooking, and providing care for him in his later years. She is survived by her sister Sandy Saunders Parker and her brother Skip Saunders (Sue) as well as her many nieces and nephews and their children.

Tommie graduated from the Niantic Center School (Class of 1952), Williams Memorial Institute (WMI), and Connecticut College for Women. She later received her master’s degree in counseling from the University of Hartford.

In the early part of her career, her focus was on education, serving as recruiter for Connecticut College, and teaching at the Day Prospect School in New Haven. She later served as Dean of Students at Northfield Academy, and Head Mistress for Women at Choate Rosemary School.

Later in her career, she became a children’s counselor, joining the staff at the New London Child and Family Agency. Tommie then established her private practice and served as a counselor for several area schools. She was very proud of her association and involvement with the Lighthouse Voc-Ed Center in Niantic.

Her heart always belonged on Saunders Point in Niantic where she was raised. She spent the last 50 years living in her home there, with the loving support from many caregivers over the last ten years. Her final months were spent being well cared for at Ocean Meadow Senior Living and Memory Care assisted living facility in Clinton, CT.

Whether fishing, clamming, playing tennis or just watching the water on her beloved Niantic River, it was plain to see this is where she truly belonged. She was an active member of the Oswegatchie Hills Club of Saunders Point, where she had served as Committee Chair, member of the Board of Directors, and eventually as President.

She was truly an independent woman to be reckoned with and her friendship benefitted many.

A memorial service will be planned at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in her name can be made to Oswegatchie Hills Club, P. O. Box 141, Niantic, CT, 06357.