Obituary of Eleanor Kendrigan

Eleanor F. Kendrigan a woman devoted to her husband, children, and grandchildren, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Sunday night, September 25, 2016. She was 80 years old. Eleanor was born in Cambridge one of eight children born to Arthur and Marion Murphy. She grew up and was educated in Cambridge. Her friends set her up on a date with James Kendrigan and the rest was history. They were married on September 26, 1959 and started a family. In 1962 they purchased their home in Burlington. While Eleanor worked a few part time jobs over the years including a clerk at Service Merchandise, she would have considered her primary profession as Wife, Mom, and Nan to her family. Eleanor and her husband James shared 57 years of marriage together. They raised their children together, worked together on constant remodeling projects, had daily lunch and dinner dates, and appreciated the many blessings of a healthy family. Her interests included; gardening, bowling, traveling, shopping, and talking about her grandkids to anyone who would listen. Her 8 grandchildren were her greatest joy. She didn’t want to miss anything in their lives. She was in the stands, auditorium, and on the sidelines for all their performances, sports, hobbies, school events, plays, and any other activity or occasion. When she couldn’t go to an event, she was sure to call to get all the details and highlights. In 1978, James and Eleanor purchased a vacation home on Lake Wentworth in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. It started as a small cottage and as the years went by and the family grew and the cottage became the Lake House. For the past 38 years, the Lake House was the summer gathering spot for all the Kendrigan family and their friends. Eleanor relished in having all the family together. She loved watching her grandkids swim in the lake, family cookouts and dinners, and the countless memorable family moments filled with laughter and love. Eleanor will always hold a special place in in the hearts of all those she has loved. Eleanor was the beloved wife of 57 years to James E. Kendrigan. She was the devoted mother to James A. Kendrigan and Paul Silva of Somerville, Paul and his wife Carolyn of Andover, Diane Creedon and her husband John of Burlington, Peter and his wife Seana of Brentwood, NH. She was the cherished “Nan” of Katelyn, Ashley, Brendan, Brooke, Patrick, Liam, Connor and Courtney. She was the dear sister to Edward Murphy of Carlsbad, CA, George Murphy of Walpole, the late Robert Murphy, Arlene “Sis” Conway, Thomas Murphy, Leo Murphy, and David Murphy. She also leaves a loving cousin of Gail Laramee and was an aunt to many nieces and nephews. Funeral from the Edward V Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Thursday, Sept. 29 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Wednesday 4-8 p.m. Interment in Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington. Memorials in Eleanor’s name may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 480 Pleasant St., Watertown, MA 02472