Eleanor Capen Walker
Eleanor Capen Walker, known to family and friends as Ellie, died January 29, 2015, at her home in Dickinson, TX, at the age of 78.
Eleanor Louise Capen was born in East Orange, NJ, to Albert and Wilhelmina Capen on May 6, 1936. She attended West Orange High School and graduated in 1954. She went on to earn a degree in Psychology and Education from Wheaton College, where she joined Kappa Chapter Phi Beta Kappa. She participated in a new Harvard Graduate School of Education internship program that included classroom teaching, and had her crossing paths with the creators of Sesame Street. After earning her Masters of Education degree in 1959, Ellie taught upper elementary school in Quincy, MA. On August 27, 1960, she married Rufus Floyd Walker, Jr. Rufus and Ellie welcomed daughter Cynthia in 1965. The family moved to Shreveport, LA, where Ellie supported Rufus’ Centenary College faculty position by joining, and eventually leading, the Centenary Dames Club, and later the LSU Medical Faculty Wives Club. She also enjoyed working in school PTA, music enrichment, and the Captain Shreve High School Band Boosters. At church, she taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, and worked with the Council of Ministries. Ellie led her daughter’s Girl Scout troop for eight years, and also served as a trainer, as a camp properties team member, and as President of Girl Scouts Pelican Council. She joined the Aggie Moms while her daughter was at Texas A&M University, and enlisted a friend to help create a spectacular original Aggie quilt for a graduation present. After working as a Security Plan insurance agent from 1988 to 1998, and becoming a grandma, Ellie moved to Texas to “dog sit, baby sit, and start a different chapter.” In Dickinson, she found a home close to family, and among friends that became family.
Ellie most loved being a wife, mom, grandma, and teacher. She enjoyed travel, and was quite the sports fan. In her younger years, she could pull together dinner for company in no time, and loved to entertain friends and family. In later years, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) slowed her down. She persisted through the good times and bad, and leaves a legacy of never giving up. “Rest if you must, but don’t you quit!”
Ellie is preceded in death by her parents and her beloved husband Rufus. She is survived by her daughter Cindy Lamb and son-in-law Brian Lamb of Houston, TX; grandson David Allen Nibert and granddaughter Linda Louise Nibert, both of Houston, TX; and sister Marian Miller of Livingston, NJ.
Visitation will be held at Crowder Funeral Home in Dickinson on Friday, February 6 at 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Memorial service will be held at Crowder Funeral Home on Saturday, February 7 at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow with a graveside service at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, February 9, at Forest Park Cemetery in Shreveport, LA.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Lung Association at www.lung.org, or to a charity of one’s choosing in her name.
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Dr. David C. Nickeson and the A*Med Community Hospice Team for their support in her final days.
Dear Eleanor Capen Walker family, please accept my condolences for the passing of your dear loved one. When someone we love dies, the heartache and grief can be great. I hope that you can be comforted knowing that Jehovah God cares for you and sees your pain. (1 Peter 5:7) “He is close to the brokenhearted and He saves those who are crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18) May you find comfort and relief during this grievous time, as you cherish the precious memories of Eleanor Capen Walker.
Dear Family of Mrs.Walker,
I was very sorry to see this obituary for Mrs.Walker.I was thinking of her and decided to try looking on the web as I have done before unsuccessfully.Mrs. walker was the most influential teacher in my life! She was my fourth,fifth and sixth grade teacher at the Mass.Fields Elementary School in Quincy,Mass in the late fifties and early sixties. I had her in the fourth grade and she selected me to be in her new,innovative combination fourth and fifth grade classroom.The class stayed together the next year as well.Those three years were transformational for me.She believed in me and made me think I was smart!!And I loved her. She was beautiful and exciting and just wonderful.And …her handsome husband from Harvard (I think) came to play his guitar some times.It was so much fun. She really was a wonderful teacher.
We exchanged Christmas cards for many years but lost touch at one point. The last address I knew was in Shreveport.I am not sure she knew that after being a social worker in my twenties and early thirties and after staying home with my four children for years,I became a certified teacher. I have been teaching for 14 years and I still teach…fourth and fifth grade.
I am so very grateful that she was in my life. I am sure you feel the same.
Since I was not able to reconnect with her before her death, I wanted to tell you,her family,how very important she was to me.
I hope you are finding peace and comfort during this time.
Marilyn Anderson
Hi Marilyn,
I’m Ellie’s daughter, Cindy. I revisited Mom’s obituary page today, and saw your beautiful post. Somehow, I hate to say, I missed it at the time. Thank you SO much for your tribute. Nothing would have made her happier than hearing how things turned out for you. She would always deny that she was anything special, but I knew better! And I figured her students did, too. Over the years she talked about how special her combined fourth-fifth-sixth grade classes were to her, and I could always tell how much she had loved teaching and working with her students. When my daughter was born in 1998, Mom moved to be near us in Houston, TX. I also have a son 2 years older. It was always wonderful to see her with them. She always hoped she made a difference. I really appreciate your story of how she did. And now you’re doing the same for your students. I know they’re blessed to have you. Thank you again for writing – it means the world to me.