Obituary of Eleanore H. Gribbel

Eleanore H. Gribbel, a resident of the Rydal Park Retirement Community in Jenkintown and formerly of Melvin Village, NH, passed away peacefully, at her home, on March 7, 2012. Born in Newark, New Jersey, she was the oldest daughter of the late Samuel M. Hershey and the late Helen Smith Hershey and her sister the late Gladys H. Irwin. She graduated from Lower Merion High School, where she was the star left wing in field hockey and later had worked for the Budd Company. In 1944, Eleanore married, her first husband, Justin Pearson of Huntingdon Valley, soon after his return from North Africa where he served with the British Eight Army. Mr. Pearson died in 1977. In 1956, Eleanore founded the Woodland Garden Club and served as their President. In addition to her volunteer work with Abington Memorial Hospital and with the June Fete, Eleanore had also volunteered for the American Cancer Society. In 1984, Eleanore married John Gribbel II of Melvin Village, NH. Mr. Gribbel had served as President of the Abington Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees from 1954-1958 and from 1964-1968 and had become an Emeritus Board Member in 1978. Eleanore and John enjoyed golfing at Bald Peak Colony Club and had also traveled throughout the world. Mr. Gribbel died in 1997. She is survived by her children and their spouses; Mark and Jacquie Pearson of Bend, OR, Pam Pearson and Maurice Lefebvre of Encinitas, CA and Robin and Howard Baker of Columbus OH, by her step-children and their spouses; Natalie and Wayne Thomas of Doylestown, PA and John and Barbara Gribble III of Palm Beach Gardens, FL and by ten grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren and by nieces and nephews. Funeral service and burial were held privately. Anyone wishing to do so may make a memorial contribution to The Gribbel TLC Fund, Abington Health Foundation, 1200 Old York Road, Abington, PA 19001 or to the Melvin Village Community Church, 476 Governor Wentworth Highway, Melvin Village, NH 03850.