Eleanor Sannella

Eleanor "Helen" (Andreoli) Sannella, 92, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 18, 2015, at the UMass Memorial University Campus Hospital from a traumatic brain injury after falling in her home. Her devoted daughter and close friends were by her side. Eleanor's loving husband of 59 years, Louis Sannella, passed away in 2002. She is survived by her only child, Beth Sannella, with whom she lived and Theodore Budzyna who she loved as a son. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews that she kept in contact with on a regular basis. Eleanor was also predeceased by three brothers, Anthony, Louis and Bernard Andreoli and three sisters, Theresa Pellegrino, Louise Battista and Mary Croft. Eleanor was born on Valentine"s Day, 1923, in Worcester, the daughter of Paul and Antoinette (Tedeschi) Andreoli and lived here all her life. She worked at Norton Co. until her daughter was born. Years later, she worked at Denholm's and then worked for the Worcester School Department until her retirement in 1978. Eleanor was a life long member of Christ Baptist Church (formally the Worcester Italian Baptist Mission) where she taught Bible School, served on the Diaconate and was a member of the Dorcas Society. She possessed tremendous faith in her Lord and Savior that never wavered. She practiced daily devotions of reading her Bible and praying for everyone she met right up to the day she died. Her motto was to live by the Golden Rule and Love One Another. Eleanor's greatest joy was to be with family and friends. She especially enjoyed breakfast with her wonderful friends at MacDonald's on Grafton St. She was proud to have been so graciously welcomed as an " honorary" member of the Scholarship Tea Committee from Worcester State University by all of the ladies. She loved being on the go - to dinner with her nieces, visiting with neighbors, entertaining anyone that may stop by the house and taking off for trips to Newbuyport, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine with relatives or Beth and "the girls". She enjoyed and appreciated everything she did and everyone she was with - sitting in the yard on her swing, taking a ride on a sunny afternoon or spending time with her extended family, especially Lexi and Callie who she adored and said made her feel "young". Beth would like to thank everyone that was so kind and willing to include her Mum in all their plans. May you all be blessed and comforted with happy memories. Funeral services for Eleanor will be held thursday April 23th at 10:30 am in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St. The Pastor James "Jay" Tilley will officiate. Burial next to her husband, Louie will follow in Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton. A period of calling hours will be held from 9:00 am to the time of the service in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Christ Baptist Church Building fund, 24 Granby Rd Worcester 01604.