Eleanor Pless

Eleanor M. (Krawitz) Pless, age 94, passed away on Monday, December 27, 2021 at St. Vincent Hospital.

She was born on July 18, 1927, in Philadelphia, PA, to Edward and Anna (Arnoff) Krawitz.

Eleanor was preceded in death by her twin sister, Shirley, and her brothers, Phil Krawitz, Joseph and Harry Krawitz, also twins, and their respective spouses, Marianne, parents of Gil, Jan and Fay; and Gertie Krawitz, parents of Paul and Dinah Krawitz. Her sister, Shirley, who passed away just a year ago, is survived by her daughters, Sharon and Elaine; and granddaughter, Sarah. Eleanor’s daughter, Cindy, resides in Erie as does her grandson, Daniel. Cindy’s husband, Paul, sadly passed away three years ago. Eleanor’s second daughter, Laurie, lives in Ripley, NY and is very happily married to Lisa Babcock, who has an extended and supportive family all living in that area.  

Eleanor and her siblings were born in Philadelphia but the family moved to Buffalo, NY when the girls were toddlers. They all grew up in Buffalo, attended and graduated Bennett High School. A few years later, she moved to NYC to be nearer her twin, who by that time was married, living in Brooklyn. She came to Buffalo in the mid-fifties and met the “love of her life”, John, in Chautauqua, NY, in 1955. They were married the following year in October 1956 and stayed together through thick and thin for 65 blessed years. Their daughters were born in Buffalo but, in 1965, the family moved to Erie. Eleanor become active in Temple Anshe Hesed’s sisterhood and, together with John, become advisors to the Temple Youth Group. Starting in 1976, they moved to the Chautauqua Institution during the summer months and have returned there ever since that time. Eleanor was particularly interested in the Chautauqua Literary Society, Woman’s Club and, together with John, became very active in the Chautauqua Opera and Voice programs, annually adopting young artists, who were there for the summer. They maintained loving relationships with many to this day. Eleanor and John moved to Florida in 2002 but decided to move back to Erie in the summer of 2021 to be nearer the family. Eleanor was widely known for her sense of humor, love of people, social skills and admired for her cooking, and particularly baking skills. She was loved by many and it is rare indeed for two people to be able to say, “We were together for 65 wonderful years”.

The family wishes to extend a special thanks and gratitude to the staff at St. Vincent’s Hospital, who took exceptional measures to care for Eleanor in the last five days of her life in a comfortable, painless and dignified manner.

The family is planning a Celebration of Eleanor’s Life in the spring of 2022, when her remains will be laid to rest in the Temple Anshe Hesed Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to the Burton Quinn Scott Cremation & Funeral Services Inc Downtown, 602 West 10^th St, Erie 16502.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to a charity of your choice.

Send condolences to www.BurtonQuinnScott.com.