LODI – Elinor Titus Spaulding, of Lodi, who was born in Norwich in June of 1936, passed away unexpectedly on Jan. 5, 2010, at the Keady Road farm where she lived with her sister, Karel Titus, and Annie Derousie.
Elinor moved to Titus’ and Derousie’s Adventureland Farm from Smyrna, Chenango County, after her husband Thomas passed away in 1990. During their years together, Thomas and Elinor lovingly raised their multiply-handicapped daughter, Lisa, providing her with attentive care at home and transporting her long distances for educational programs. After her husband’s death, Elinor traveled weekly to Broome Developmental Center in Binghamton to visit Lisa, with the help of Caroline Hoover of Burdett and Lynn Carr of Newfield. Elinor recorded books on tape with sound effects, such as animals on her sister’s farm and her own voice, which Lisa took comfort in when her mother could not be with her. Lisa passed away in 2008 at the age of 36.
Elinor was trained in cosmetology and worked for various salons in Norwich, where she opened and ran a private business for several years before marrying and raising a family. Since moving to Lodi 18 years ago, Elinor enjoyed helping on her sister’s farm, where she cared for its goats and chickens. In her spare time, she kept busy embroidering, sewing, knitting, working crossword puzzles, and putting together jigsaw puzzles. Completing a puzzle of 500 pieces in a day was not unusual for Elinor. She also liked to visit and have tea with her neighbors. She was an avid reader and a regular patron of the Lodi Whittier Library. Elinor’s friends will always remember her perky disposition and her awareness of current news stories.
Elinor was predeceased by her parents, Volney and Esther Quick Titus, and siblings Hannah Goodwin, Kenneth, Arthur, and Willard Titus. In addition to her sister, Karel, Elinor is survived by siblings Jeanne Joslyn of Zephyrhills, Fla., and Graydon “Stub” Titus of Norwich, as well as several generations of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Elinor will be held will be held at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home, 116 North Broad St., Norwich, , at noon on Jan. 12. Calling hours will be on Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. and from 10 a.m. until the service at noon on Tuesday. A lunch will follow at the Northeast Classic Car Museum, 22 Rexford St., Norwich. Elinor’s Finger Lakes friends are invited to a memorial service with finger foods from 1-4 p.m. at Lodi’s Eagle Hotel on Jan. 16. In the spring, Elinor will be laid to rest in the Mt. Hope Cemetery of Norwich.
In lieu of flowers, Elinor’s family requests that donations in her memory be made to the Lodi Whittier Library, 2155 E. Seneca St., Lodi, NY 14860; or to DCMO BOCES, Chenango Campus, 6678 County Road 32, Norwich, NY 13815, checks payable to “DCMO BOCES” with the notation in memory of Elinor Spaulding.