Eleanor M. McMahon

Eleanor Maria (Qualey) McMahon, 92, died in Cary, N.C. on January 2, 2017 after a long illness. A long-time Delaware resident, Eleanor was pre-deceased in death by her husband of 70 years, Joseph P. McMahon in June of 2015. Eleanor was born in Essex CT and raised in Kearny and Harrison, NJ.

She lived a full life, focused on her loving and lasting marriage to Joe and her selfless concern for her four sons, her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Eleanor was a devout catholic, with a special focus on the Blessed Mother and the Rosary. Eleanor enjoyed her working days, serving as a supervising operator for Bell Telephone and many years at Rovner’s Department store in the Christiana Mall. She was a long-time member of the Junior Board of St. Francis Hospital, the Diocesan Mother’s Guild and many bridge clubs. Before and during her marriage she was known among her many friends and co-workers for her kindness, elegance and fine taste in clothes.

Many happy days were spent at the Hercules pool and vacations in Long Beach Island and Stone Harbor. She especially enjoyed golfing and at 70 years old, scored a hole-in-one with Joe as a witness. Upon retirement, Joe and Eleanor enjoyed traveling, including sea cruises and trips to South America, London, Paris and Germany. Eleanor survived, but was significantly impacted by a serious accident in Germany, being struck by a taxicab after stepping off a cruise ship.

Eleanor kept a close relationship with and was pre-deceased by her sisters, Muriel, Alice and Irene. She was also pre-deceased by a brother. Eleanor was especially thankful for the lifetime support of the Travers family, especially her surviving sister Dorothy Travers, of Asheville, North Carolina. In addition to Dorothy, Eleanor is survived by her 4 sons; Father Joseph R. McMahon of Wilmington, DE, Richard J. McMahon (Carol) of Cary, N.C., Robert E. McMahon (Jenny) of Lewes, DE and Gregory E. McMahon (Terry) of Chester Springs, PA, 7 grandchildren; Mark McMahon, Maureen O’Connell, Alexander McMahon, Jennifer Pavlik, Andrew McMahon, Sean McMahon and Jason McMahon, and 9 great grandchildren. Special thanks to Rich, Carol and Terry for their devotion to Eleanor in the final stages of her life.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Sisters of Charity Convent, P. O. Box 476, Convent Station, NJ 07961, Central Association of the Miraculous Medal, 475 E. Chelten, Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19144 or St. Peter’s Cathedral School, 310 W. 6th Street, Wilmington, DE 19801.