Eleanor Schoonover Obituary

Eleanor (Legere) French Schoonover was born in Revere, Massachusetts on December 24, 1922, to parents Joseph A. Legere and Margaret Bourque. She was the second of four children. During WWII Eleanor was working as a secretary in Boston. She met a young sailor named John "Bud" French. They dated, wrote daily letters while he was in the South Pacific, and married when he returned from the War. Eleanor's life included her strong Catholic faith, being a wife and mom, a secretary, a coach's wife, an artist, a fisherman and Denver Broncos fan. Eleanor was an accomplished painter - her paintings included family portraits, southwestern art, mountains, landscapes, etc. She was also a member of the Colorado Chapter, NSDAR. Before retiring, Eleanor was the secretary for the assistant superintendent of schools for Littleton School District. After her husband passed, Eleanor was blessed with a second marriage, to Ken Schoonover. They enjoyed their time in Arizona and Colorado, military reunions, friends and family.

Eleanor passed on January 28, 2017 with family by her side. Her everlasting love, spirituality, kindness, hugs, words of wisdom, generosity, and beautiful smile are just a few of the things we will miss.

Eleanor was preceded in death by her two husbands, two sisters, a brother and three grandchildren. She is survived by daughters Tina (Garry Dudley) of Colorado, Patty French of California, Margo (Leo Bruderer) of Nebraska, Cindy French of Colorado; step children Karen (Pat Kelly) of Kansas, Kathy (Bruce Oviatt) of Colorado, Kenny Schoonover, Jr of Colorado, plus many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 11, 2017, USAF Academy Base Chapel. For those without a military ID, meet at 9:15-9:30 at the parking lot outside the south gate entrance of the Academy to be escorted on base. Burial will be at a later time. And, as Eleanor would tell you, "Drive Prayerfully and Carefully!"