Mary Elinor Halliday

Mary Elinor Halliday, 100 years old, passed away on Thursday December 14, 2023 at her home in Marshfield Massachusetts.

Born in 1923, Elinor was raised in Wilmington, Delaware, the daughter of Mary and Earl Nase.  She was known as Elinor for most of her life but her friends in Massachusetts called her Mary.   Elinor graduated from P.S. DuPont High School and attended Goldy – Beacom College.  At the outbreak of World War II, she joined the U.S. Navy as a WAVE and achieved the rank of Hospitalman First Class. She was stationed in Annapolis, Maryland and Washington, DC. Elinor took great pride in her service and her lifelong participation in public Veteran’s events and her membership in the National WAVES Organization served as an inspiration to her family and friends.

Elinor became a single mother in 1960, she worked hard to provide for her young family. Elinor never missed an opportunity to brag to her friends about her children. She was proud that that each of her five children graduated from college and went on to live productive and successful lives. Elinor also enjoyed making friends and helping others. During her life she often volunteered at senior living facilities and helped neighbors who needed assistance. In her later years she was an active participant at the Marshfield Massachusetts Senior Center. Because she outlived most of her fellow World War II veterans she was invited to join and participate in the Marshfield Korean War Veterans Chapter.

Dancing was one of Elinor’s favorite activities. She loved to attend the dances at Nantasket Beach and other venues with her friend Ken Bell. She also tap danced with a group from the Marshfield Senior Center that provided entertainment for the senior living facilities in the area.  It was normal for Elinor to walk a mile or more daily with friends.  This continued until the pandemic and advancing years curtailed her daily walk.

Over her lifetime, Elinor worked for Bell Telephone, DuPont Company and McArdle Desco Plumbing Supply Company. In 1987 she moved to England to live with her daughter Bonnie and her family near London.  In 2008 Elinor returned to the US and lived in Northern Virginia with her daughter Bette and in Marshfield, Massachusetts with her son Tom before settling in her own apartment in Marshfield where she spent the last 11 years of her life.

In addition to her parents, Elinor is predeceased by her daughter Bonnie Ward (Steven), brother Robert Nase and sister Dorothy Winthur.  She is survived by her sons Tim (Kathleen), Tom (Denise) and Ted (Jennifer), her daughter Bette Gawinski (Robert), twelve grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren.

Services will be private.