Eleanor G. Sawyer of Ft. Belvoir, VA, age 91, passed away peacefully on February 9, 2013. Beloved wife of the late Col. Robert K. Sawyer (USA Ret.) and loving mother of Janice (Quinton Gabriel), Robert K. Jr. (Theresa Sawyer), William, and Peter (Susan Sawyer). A gold star mother, her son, Kenneth, preceded her in death on February 12, 1969. Loving grandmother to Darrin and Kevin Gabriel, David Sawyer, Elizabeth Sawyer Cherian, Kimberly, Kelly, Jason and Erin Sawyer. She also leaves behind four great-grandsons Kevin and Matthew Gabriel, as well as Robert and Michael Sawyer, along with two surviving brothers, Howard and William Rideout. A native of Somerville, MA, Eleanor was an accomplished genealogist, having published three volumes on The Sawyers of New England. A memorial service will be held in the auditorium at The Fairfax, Ft. Belvoir on Saturday, February 23 at 1:00. Burial will occur at Arlington National Cemetery on a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Disabled American Veterans organization (http://www.dav.org/).
As a military wife, Eleanor traveled the world; from Japan to Belgium, Germany to Turkey, and many points in between, including multiple locations in the United States. However, she always considered New England home, retiring to Strafford, NH in 1975. Years of traveling, gardening, and genealogical research culminated in the publication of her first book in 1995, “The Sawyers of New England, 1635-1900”. Following the death of her husband in 1999, she moved to The Fairfax retirement community at Ft. Belvoir, VA. Over the next ten years, Eleanor’s research resulted in two additional volumes of the Sawyer history. Other accomplishments and interests include president of the mid-Atlantic Waiting Wives Club during the Viet Nam war era, and explorations into the art of ceramics, and cuisine.
She will be missed.
SHARE OBITUARYSHARE
v.1.13.0