Eleanor Neel

Eleanor Duggan was born on March 8, 1928. She was raised in The Bronx, New York City, the daughter of Irish immigrants Cornelius and Anna Duggan. A child during The Great Depression and a teen during the rationing of WWII, Eleanor learned the qualities of making do without much, staying relentlessly positive, and the necessity of Faith, Hope and Love. Eleanor's siblings were Edward, Ann, Joan and Richard, and she was a devout Catholic her entire life. She graduated high school from the Ursuline Academy in 1946, received her nursing degree from St. Vincent's School of Nursing and worked as an RN at St. Vincent's Hospital. Eleanor married John Nicholas on Feb. 26, 1952, and in September that same year they bought the Hotchkiss House resort in Catskill, NY. They worked tirelessly each summer running the resort until moving to Bradenton, FL in 1958. Eleanor's beloved husband John died suddenly of a heart attack on June, 17, 1961. She was left with five children, all under the age of 8 - John, Con, Joann, Brian and Edward - and she was pregnant with the sixth Nicholas sibling William. Despite this tragedy, single mother Eleanor provided her six kids with the best childhoods anyone has ever known. She went back to work as a nurse at Manatee Memorial Hospital and later became the girls Phys Ed teacher at St. Joseph's School, where all of her children attended. On May 17, 1971, she married Dr. Sam Neel, the founder and first president of Manatee Junior College. Between her endless motherly tasks, Eleanor loved attending all of her children's many sporting events at the Bradenton Boys Club, St. Joe's, Cardinal Mooney High School, Riverview High School, and Manatee JC. She and Dr. Neel had her seventh child, Richard Neel, on December 7, 1973. Eleanor lost her second husband when Dr. Neel passed away in June of 2003. Eleanor began playing tennis in her late 40's and became a very good player, winning numerous senior state doubles titles in tournaments all over Florida. She became an avid tennis fan, attending the US Open many times, as well as Wimbledon and countless state and local events. As a testament to her resiliency and love of the game, she played tennis on her 90th birthday. Eleanor was a master bridge player, an expert at the game show Jeopardy, learned to play mahjong in her 90's, and she was a loving and adored grandmother to her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who affectionately referred to her as "Momo." She traveled extensively through Europe, visiting England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, Sicily and Malta. Eleanor had many friends and was loved by everyone who ever met her during her amazing 96-year life. Eleanor left this world on October 9, 2024, leaving behind her seven children John (Trish), Con (Callie), Joann (Mike), Brian (Terry), Edward (Ann Marie), Will (Inga) and Richard (Shana), as well as fourteen grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and many dear nieces and nephews. Eleanor departed during Hurricane Milton, while under the care of the "angels on Earth" ladies of Hospice and the excellent staff at Aravilla Assisted Living facility. She passed away as the eye of the hurricane hovered over Sarasota, in the quiet pause between the violent winds. It was during that suddenly peaceful period in time, when the Earth seemed to stand still, that Eleanor assumed her rightful place in Heaven. Eleanor was always the calm amidst the storm. Rest In Peace and all our Love to Eleanor Duggan Nicholas Neel, our dear Momo. A funeral Mass will be held at 11am on November 23 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Bradenton, followed by a celebration of Eleanor's life at the Bradenton Country Club. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Eleanor's name to Tidewell Hospice, St. Joseph's School or Cardinal Mooney High School.

Eleanor Neel

March 8, 1928 - October 9, 2024