Eleanor C. Symecko

Eleanor C. Symecko of Orleans and North Eastham, Cape Cod, formerly of Newington, CT passed away on November 19, 2024. She died in a moment but lived for 98 years.
Eleanor was born in New Britain, CT to Anthony and Janina (Wyszatycka) Kopczyk. She graduated from New Britain High School and New Britain General Hospital School of Nursing. She retired after 39 years of employment at New Britain General Hospital starting as a staff nurse, then charge nurse and ending her nursing career as the supervisor of the hospital’s surgical suites.
   In 1989, New Britain General Hospital honored her dedication to patients and colleagues alike by renaming the hospital operating rooms “The Eleanor C. Symecko Surgical Suite”.
During her retirement, she volunteered at the Legislative Office Building and at the Wadsworth Athenaeum in Hartford. She played golf and was a member of the Indian Hill Country Club. Eleanor was a long time communicant of St. Mary’s Church in Newington, CT, and later St. Joan of Arc Church, Orleans, MA and a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. She was an avid reader.
She leaves to celebrate her life her children Kristine Keehner Nasinnyk and husband Stephen, Orleans, MA; William R. Keehner and wife Nancy of Rocky Hill, CT; Karen Keehner White of Plymouth, WI; and Diana Symecko Roy and husband Raymond of Pleasant Valley, CT. She also leaves seven grandchildren and their spouses: Marel Nasinnyk (Andrew) Harper of Rumford, RI; Maggie Nasinnyk of San Diego, CA; Abra Nasinnyk (Greg) Ealy of San Francisco, CA; Elizabeth Keehner (Milton Gomez) of Macungie PA; Scott (Sarah) Keehner of Meriden, CT; Kimberly Roy (Robert) Dickson of Watertown, CT and Robert Roy of New Hartford, CT. She leaves seven great-grandchildren, Austin Dickson; Lea and Aria Gomez; Elliott, Paige, Owen and Holden Keehner. She also is survived by several nieces, nephews and family and dear friends. She is grateful to dear friends and neighbors at “15”, “23” and “25”. She was predeceased by her parents, by her husbands Robert C. Keehner and Stanley J. Symecko, by her sister Claire Gworek, and by her sister-in-law Dorothy Symecko.
We extend sincere gratitude to the whole staff, past and present, of The Terraces Orleans for their skill, care and kindness towards Eleanor during her stay.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Mary’s Church, 626 Willard Avenue, in Newington, CT.
A funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday December 17th at 11:00 AM at St. Joan of Arc Church, 61 Canal Rd, Orleans, MA. Burial will be in New Britain, CT at a later date.