Eleanor M. Caskey

Eleanor M. Caskey 88, passed away peacefully October 21, 2007 after a brief illness at North Central Health Care Center, Wausau, Wis. She was born March 3, 1919 in Rochester, N.Y. to George Lyle and Elva (Zimmerman) Fearnley. In 1945 she married John W. Caskey and they raised six children in the Rochester, N.Y. area. At the age of 17, Eleanor began her college studies at Wooster (Ohio) Presbyterian College and later received a scholarship to Cornell University to study aeronautical engineering. Upon completion of her studies she went to work for Curtis Wright in Buffalo, N.Y. and later worked for Xerox Corporation in the engineering department in Webster, N.Y. Eleanor was a voracious reader, loved to solve the New York Times crossword puzzles and was known for her "green thumb." Upon her husband's retirement in 1973 they moved to Smith Mountain Lake near Roanoke, Va. After John passed away in 1980 Eleanor remained in Roanoke and worked for the League of Older American's Meals on Wheels program. She retired at the age of 78 to Wausau, Wis. where she became a member of the First Presbyterian Church. Survivors include three daughters, Joan (John) Kohler, Austin, TX, Ann (Bruce) O'Neill, Rush, NY and Ellen Ochoa, Lubbock, TX; two sons, Bill (Linda) Caskey, Albuquerque, NM and Gary (Nancy) Caskey, Wausau, WI; daughter-in-law, Lisa Caskey, Rifle, CO; brother, George Fearnley Jr., Sarasota, FL; seven grandchildren, four great grandchildren, many other relatives and friends. Besides her parents and husband, John, she was preceded in death by a son, James, grandson Rory O'Neill, great grandson, Jaron Wallace and sister, Dorothy Love. A private memorial service will be held in Roanoke, VA at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Friends of North Central Health Care, 2400 Marshall St., Wausau, WI 54403. The family truly appreciates the dedication, commitment and loving care provided by the C-Unit staff at North Central Health Care during Eleanor's final months. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 6th Street, Wausau, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences at www.petersonkraemer.com