Eleanor Wightman
Eleanor Wightman
May 1st, 1936 – January 3rd, 2026
*Author’s Note: The following excerpts in our “Life Stories” are from the Celebration of Life service for Eleanor May Wightman for you to read, reflect, and pay your respects privately. Her closest family and friends gathered in the historic chapel at Kemper Center to honor her beautiful life. Several meaningful songs were played and poems shared. It was a lovely honor to learn about Eleanor. She will be dearly missed by many.
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Eleanor was born on May 1st, 1936, in Monico, WI. An only child, Eleanor grew up in the Northwoods and enjoyed time with her parents. When she married her dear husband, James, they moved south to Racine, WI and then to Gurnee, IL. James and Eleanor quickly welcomed 4 children into the world: a son, a second son, and then twin girls. The young couple had their hands full as ultimately all four kids were in diapers at the same time. Daughter, Jayne, said, “Mom was a very strong lady.”
Eleanor worked at a popular boutique and then became the manager of a medical uniform store, working hard until her retirement at age 67.
Eleanor was a loving mother and cared deeply about her children. Jayne said that “Mom was always so nice. She was such a special person who always thought about others before herself.” Eleanor built beautiful memories with her family. Camping trips with Aunt Shirley and all the kids were enormous fun and always a great time.
Eleanor enjoyed gardening, shopping with Jayne, and occasional trips to the casino. She loved becoming a grandmother and doted on her grandchildren. She had lots of pets over the years and cherished them all. Eleanor was so well-loved and even her assisted living caregivers adored her.
There are so many stories to tell and memories to relive. Please share the memories, share the love today and in the days and years to come so that her legacy may endure.
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As we reflect on Eleanor’s 89 years, it may feel like it all went by far too quickly. While no length of time with our loved ones will ever seem long enough, know that it was an absolute blessing to have had Eleanor present on this earth for almost 9 decades. Her time here and her time spent with each of you was a precious gift. When your world is feeling a little too empty, may you fill it with gratitude that your time here overlapped with Eleanor’s and that you were blessed to know her.
And while the broken pieces of your heart will never quite be the same, know that Eleanor would not want your heart to be troubled. May you find comfort in sweet memories, may you find peace in the ways you find her to still be a part of your present, and may you find hope in being reunited with her some day in the kingdom of God.
Celebrate her life and beautiful journey into the great beyond. May you know in your heart that she is at peace, she is home now in the loving embrace of our Lord in heaven. She is reunited with the many loved ones she had been missing including her parents, Stanley and Helen, her husband, James, her children, Charles and Lori, and her precious dog, Floyd. She is surrounded by love.
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Eleanor will be forever loved and missed by her daughter, Jayne, and son-in-law, John, her son, Tom, and daughter-in-law, Ursula, her grandchildren, Johnny and Nicole, her best friend, Marie, and other family members and friends.
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Mother Theresa said, “I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love.”
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Eleanor, may you rest in eternal peace knowing you are dearly loved.
My sincere condolences and love, Holly