Eleanor Rose Bourke

Eleanor Rose Bourke, 94, of, The Villages, Florida, formerly of Fulton County, died on May 25 in her home.

Born July 25, 1927, rural Farmington to Edward C. Vivian Milner Ashton, she married William F. Bourke on April 28, 1951, in Canton. He died April 8, 1995 in Canton.
Surviving is granddaughter, Kelly Kae (Richard) Sharpe of Pasadena, MD, one sister Mrs. June (John) Heckard of Bradenton, Florida, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by son, James Joseph on October 9, 2002; Samuel Carruthers on August 15, 2004; and daughter Anne Rose, an infant; and three brothers, Roy G, Kenneth V, and Robert C Ashton; one sister, Marjorie L. Knox.
She was a civil service employee with the Air Technical Service Command in Chicago, followed by 35 years at Sears, Roebuck and Company in Canton as Audit Mgr/Office Supervisor, followed by Catalog Department Mgr. and Assistant Store Mgr. In 1982 she became co-owner/co-operator of Elra Inc. for four years. In 1987 she became an associate of Aflac insurance.
She formerly chaired Citizen's Advisory Council, Canton School District 66 and Business Careers Advisory Committee of Soon River College. She served as a Delegate to the Sears, Roebuck and Co. Profit Sharing Fund of Sears Employees Advisory Council in 1976-77. She was an active participant in Canton Bowling Association for more than twenty years.
On April 22, 1972 she was presented the Key to the City of Canton. She was the honored recipient as "Daily Ledger Woman of the Year" in 1981 and "YWCA Salute to 'Women of Achievement' in 1994.
A charter member in 1956 and past president of Federated Business and Professional Women's Local Organization of Canton, charter member in 1975 and past president of International Altrusa Club of Canton; past president of Illinois Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs Inc; past member board of directors of National Federation of Business and Professional Women/USA. In 1972 she attended the ERA Congressional Jubilee in Washington, D.C. and also the Congress of Outstanding Business and Professional Women of Americas in San Salvador, El Salvador.
She has been a member of the Board of Directors of Fulton Count Unit of the American Cancer Society since 1957 and served as treasurer for many years. She is past president and crown princess of Tau Chapter, Lambda Chi Omega sorority; past member board of directors YWCA; past president GFWC Illinois/Canton Woman's Cub; past president Blue Chip Investment Club; member Spoon River College Literacy Council; Spoon River Hospice of Graham Hospital; Fulton County Farm Bureau; Canton Chamber of Commerce; Canton Country Club; Spoon River Garden Club and Board of Directors of Rotary Club of Canton. She is listed in the 1996-1997 edition of Who's Who in Executives and Professionals.
She was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Canton for 48 years where she was a former trustee, elder and deaconess. On April 19, 1998 she became a member of Wesley United Methodist and served on the Worship Committee.
In 2011 she moved to The Villages, Florida, and in December of that year became a member of New Covenant United Methodist Church in The Villages.
Funeral services will be Tuesday, May 24, 2022, at 2 pm, at Oaks-Hines Funeral Home in Canton. Her niece, Rev. Marilyn Anell, will officiate. Visitation will be from 1:00-2:00 pm. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery in Canton.
Respecting the wishes of the deceased, in lieu of flowers or contributions, the family suggests you do a random act of kindness for a stranger.
To leave online condolences, please visit, oakshinesfuneralhome.com