Obituary of M. Eleanor Barwis

M. ELEANOR (KOLTES) BARWIS, R.N. a resident of Blue Bell, PA died on October 23, 2024. She was 100 years old. Born on October 8, 1924, at Frankford Hospital in Philadelphia, Eleanor graduated from Comly Elementary School and Olney High School in Philadelphia. She enrolled in the Abington Memorial Hospital School of Nursing and received her Registered Nurse certificate in 1946. Eleanor married her high school sweetheart, William L. Barwis, on Sept. 21, 1946, following Bill's return from the European Theater in World War II. Eleanor was a strong and faithful partner to Bill at the Barwis Music Center and later at Barwis Paints, both in Philadelphia. They raised their family, Bill Jr. and Sue, in Bethayres and then Abington. They spent summers at Penn Lake in the Poconos for many years, enjoying time there with family and friends. They also traveled widely during their later years. Before retiring, Eleanor became a school nurse in the Cheltenham School District. After retiring, they moved to Lower Gwynedd and then Normandy Farms Estates in Blue Bell. Eleanor is survived by her son Bill Barwis Jr. of Minneapolis, grandchildren Pete Barwis and wife Heather of Milwaukee area, Drew Barwis, wife Erin, and son Simon of Minneapolis, Robert Lamberson III of Bangor, ME, and Sara Sinclair and husband Shawn of Mt. Juliet, TN. She is also survived by nieces and nephews Nancy, Karen, John, and Steve Koltes. She was preceded in death by parents John and Mary Koltes, brother and sister-in-law Dr. John Koltes Jr. and Nancy Koltes, and daughter Susan Lamberson. A memorial service will be held in the Auditorium of Normandy Farms Estates, 9000 Twin Silo Drive, Blue Bell, PA at 11:00 am on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, where relatives and friends will be received from 10:00 AM until the time of the service. There will be a private family interment at the William Penn Cemetery in Philadelphia. The family would like to express its appreciation and gratitude to the staff at Normandy Farms Estates. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Abington Presbyterian Church, 1082 Old York Road, Abington, PA 19001 or the Normandy Farms Residents Hardship Fund, 9000 Twin Silo Drive, Blue Bell, PA 19422.