Eleanor G. Jawers

Eleanor Gertrude Jawers (nee Malone), age 98, of Lima, PA and formerly of Upper Darby, PA and Newtown Square, PA passed away peacefully the morning of January 1, 2023. Born in Philadelphia, she was the precious daughter of the late James J. and Gertrude Malone (nee Cremin).

Eleanor was the beloved wife of the late Raymond Jawers, loving mother of Raymond Jawers (Wendy), James Jawers, Eleanor Shuster (James) and Karen Burke (Brian); caring sister of the late James J. Malone, Jr. (Jane) and late Regina Malone; affectionate sister-in-law of the late Ethel Boyle (Thomas). She is also survived by her adoring grandchildren Joseph Jawers (Heather), Kimberly Kindle (Curtis), Karen Dwyer (Shawn), Ray Jawers, Austin Burke, Dillon Burke and Meredith Burke; and seven delightful great-grandchildren.

Eleanor was a daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother (Emom), and friend. She was born at home in Philadelphia to her dear parents and moved to the Highland Park section of Upper Darby when she was 4 years young. She attended grade school at St. Laurence Parish in Upper Darby and Notre Dame High School in Moylan, PA where she made life-long friends.

Eleanor was extremely proud of her Irish heritage and as a young girl was nicknamed “Molly Malone”. She had an opportunity to visit her beloved Ireland in 1998 with two of her children and daughter-in-law.

As a young child, Eleanor enjoyed playing games and “jacks.” She made friends easily and spoke of her youth fondly, often with a sparkle in her eyes, suggesting she could be a trickster at times.  Her family enjoyed summer vacations in Atlantic City and visiting relatives in Connecticut.

After high school, Eleanor worked at the Insurance Company of North America in downtown Philadelphia. Later, she very much enjoyed meeting new friends through work and performing clerical responsibilities in her father’s real estate office in Philadelphia. This was a special time for Eleanor, as she and her father had a close relationship. When her children were grown, she returned to the workforce as a Claims Supervisor for a local insurance agency.

Eleanor was always very spirited, and throughout her life was outgoing; she thoroughly enjoyed being out and about with friends and family. She took pleasure in going to dances and the movie theater and also had wonderful memories of the very popular Chez Vous roller skating rink in Upper Darby.  It was at Chez Vous that Eleanor met and took a shine to Ray Jawers. Eleanor and Ray married in 1952. They were devoted to each other for 57 years and together raised four dearly loved children. While her husband might have been the one to print the news (as a pressman); Eleanor liked to be the one to deliver it, as she took great
pride in being the first to know what was going on in the family!

In addition to cherished memories of vacations at the Jersey Shore and Pocono Mountains, and one Colonial Christmas holiday in Williamsburg, Eleanor and Ray enjoyed special trips to the World’s Fair in New York, Bermuda, Disney World, and a cruise to
England and France.

Eleanor enjoyed the Mummers String Bands, attending Broadway musicals, Knights of Columbus events, bingo, shopping, card games and spending time with her grandchildren.  She watched a lot of sports, especially figure skating and the Phillies! She also enjoyed cooking and the family looked forward to her tasty pot roast dinner every Sunday, packed with potatoes, carrots, and Eleanor’s special touches, which included V-8 juice.

Always dedicated to her Catholic faith, she had a particular devotion to the Blessed Mother and Padre Pio. Eleanor spent many years as an active participant in Saint Alice Parish activities and the Catholic Daughters of America organization.  Eleanor possessed tremendous courage and gumption. She carried on, despite her ailing health limitations in later years, especially during the pandemic when her family was unable to visit with her in the nursing home. Her spirit to carry on was admirable.

By all accounts, Eleanor had a magnetic personality and rarely encountered a stranger as she had a warm and loving manner that made her easy to talk with, putting people at ease with her infinite wit, careful attention and kindness. Friends and neighbors alike were always drawn to her.

She was our beloved matriarch and will be missed immensely. Her life was a blessing and her
memory is a treasure.

Relatives and friends are invited to her Funeral Mass Friday, January 13, 2022 11:00 AM at St. Dorothy Church, 4910 Township Line Road, Drexel Hill, PA.   Interment is private.

Contributions in Eleanor's memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 would be appreciated.    

“May the road rise up to meet you, the wind be ever at your back,

May the sunshine warm upon your face,

And the rains fall softly on your fields,     

And until we meet again, May God hold you in the hollow of his hand.”