Eleanor Lorena DeVan- Boston

Eleanor Lorena DeVan-Boston, 91, passed away Saturday, May 31, 2014. She was born June 1, 1922, in Des Moines, Iowa to William Homer DeVan and Olivia Brooks. Eleanor was one of nine siblings – Thelma, Charles, Carrol, Mercedes, Silvia, Lawrence, Paul, and Martha.

In 1942, Eleanor married Charles Boston. Together they had five children – Ellen Ann, Maria Jean, Charles Alexander, Thomas Paul, and Mary Jo. She worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 33 years, retiring in the mid-1990s. Eleanor enjoyed reading, cooking, knitting, being with her family and friends, and arranging many family reunions and get-togethers. She would always say that the “house” was the focal point for all holiday get-togethers.

Eleanor was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers, three sisters, and her beloved daughters, Mary Jo and Maria Jean. She is survived by her sister, Martha Jackson; daughter, Ellen Ann; sons, Charles Alexander and Thomas Paul; son-in-law, Larry Hawkins (husband of Maria Jean); close family friends, Elaine “Sissy” William and Ronnene (Parkey) Harris; 22 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and a host of other family and friends.

Eleanor was the matriarch of our family and taught us honor, respect, and love of family and friends. She will be deeply missed, but always remembered and loved.

A memorial visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 3, 2014 at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines, Iowa.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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