On Thursday, November 10, 2022, Eleanor “Ellie” Crowley O’Rourke, beloved wife and mother of two children, stepmother of two children, and grandmother of three passed away at the age of 84 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Ellie was born on January 24, 1938 in Jackson Heights, New York to Eleanor Frances Pender and John Francis Cavanagh. She graduated in 1955 from Our Lady of Mercy Academy in New York and attended Newton College of the Sacred Heart (now Boston College). After the death of her Father, Ellie left college and entered the business world working as a secretary at General Electric, Owens Corning Fiberglass, and lastly at Financial Aid for Education.
On February 11, 1961, Ellie married David Francis Crowley in Manhasset, New York and started their life together in Great Neck, NY. Ellie left the business world when their daughter Laura was born in 1962. Ten months later, the Crowley’s moved to Covina, California where their son David was born in 1964. The family of four settled in Santa Ana, California and later Dana Point, California. After her children were in high school, Ellie began working for Ski America Magazine and later as Director of Far East Operations at Cavanagh Group International.
On October 27, 1986, her husband Dave suddenly died of a heart attack. A year later former Marine Captain and widower John Francis O’Rourke (Jack) entered Ellie’s life with his two sons 11 year-old Andrew and 10 year-old Christopher. Ellie and Jack hit it off and started a new life together. They eventually married on March 17, 1996.
After their wedding, they embarked on a wonderful journey moving to Hong Kong for the next four years as part of Ellie’s job with the Cavanagh Group. Hong Kong was one of the greatest times of their lives. They had a great apartment with an amazing view of the Hong Kong Harbor and were able to be joined by many family members over their time there as well as traveling all over Asia. It was a magical time in their lives.
Ellie and Jack eventually settled in Las Vegas, Nevada to be closer to family. Ellie began work for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority where she was valued and loved. She eventually retired and enjoyed her life as mother and especially as “Grammy” to Caden, Chadley, and Swanee, the greatest joys of her later years.
Ellie was the matriarch and heartbeat of the Keyburn-Pender Family, over 100 strong to this day. Family was everything to her. She was an exceptional wife and mother. She cared deeply for her family and neighbors. She did this not out of obligation, but because of who she was. She was always the first to offer help. She was always there with a smile that could light up a room and a laugh so infectious it brought joy to all around her. Ellie was a beloved “surrogate” mother to her children’s friends who always found a warm hug, good advice, or a shoulder to cry on. To know Ellie was to love Ellie. Ellie was the personification of love, kindness and decency, a true Hall of Fame human being. She will be terribly missed and lovingly remembered by so many.
Ellie is survived by her husband Jack O’Rourke, sister Lea Holst, brother John Cavanagh and his wife Dee, daughter Laura Crowley Beck, son David Crowley, Stepsons Drew and Chris O’Rourke along with their spouses Kerri and Suchada respectively, and grandchildren Caden Crowley, Chadley O’Rourke and Swanee O’Rourke, as well as over 100 cousins and countless friends.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmnorthwest.com for the Crowley-O'Rourke family.
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