Obituary of Eleanor D. Atherton

Eleanor “Ellie” Atherton was born on 11/24/1934 in Berlin, NH to Florence Goodreau Downs and Lester Downs. Ellie’s was known as “Mom” to her five children and their spouses (and to their friends as well), and “Nana” to almost four dozen grandchildren and great grandchildren. Ellie’s home was always a welcome haven for anyone who stopped by. Whenever you expressed your love for her, it was always met with a reply of “I love you more.” There was no sacrifice too great for her children and her family. She was the matriarch of her clan and earned that respect through unwavering love and support for anyone lucky enough to fall under her family umbrella. Ellie retired in 2003 after nearly 30 years of employment at St. Michael’s College in Winooski, Vermont. She loved fishing, reading, playing computer games, and spending time with her vast family and circle of friends. She will be missed by all. Ellie is predeceased by her parents, by her husband Daniel P. Atherton, by her eldest son, Steven Dusablon and by her granddaughter, Yolanda Morgan. She is survived by four children and their spouses, Karen Badger (Barb) of Georgia, VT, Todd Dusablon (Deb) of Alburgh, Penny Tanner (Jeff) of Ferrisburg, and Robert Dusablon, Jr. of Milton; by 25 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren; by her cousin Will Goodreau (Peggy), and by her sister-in-law Brenda Atherton and her children, as well as by extended family, Mary Beth Chastenay . She is also survived by her special friends, Bette Grenon, Liz Innes-Brown, Carol Martin, Theresa Lessard and Bruce St. Peters, and by her dogs/cat, Cricket, Sammy and Nuisance. A very special thank you to the caring nurses and technicians at the Northwestern Medical Center Dialysis Unit for the loving care you provided for Mom for more than a decade. We will never forget your kindness. Due to the Corona virus, there will be no ceremony or burial at this time. Interment of cremains in St. Ann’s Cemetery in Milton, and a celebration of her life will be scheduled at a future date when it is safe for all to attend. Donations may be made in her name to the American Kidney Fund at www.kidneyfund.org. We have one final thing to say to you, Mom: ”We know you love us...and we love you more!” Services are under the care of the Minor Funeral Home, www.minorfh.com