Eleanor K. Szapiel

Eleanor Szapiel of Damascus Maryland, Bowie, Maryland, and San Antonio, Texas passed away Monday morning, September 27, 2021, at her home in Damascus.  She was the wife of loving husband Ret. Col. Stanley V. Szapiel.  Eleanor and Stanley were married in New York City in 1942 and remained married for 66 years, until Stanley’s passing in 2009.

Born November 20, 1921, in Shenandoah, PA, she was the daughter of the late Peter Easitis and Mary Kabasinskas.

Eleanor left home at the early age of 16 to become a nanny in New York City and to begin her life.  She worked and sent money home to her mother, then met and married her husband Stanley at age 22.  Shortly after marriage, she lived in Frankfort New York for three years until her husband’s return from World War II.  Upon Stanley’s return, she enjoyed life as a military spouse and raising four children, travelling to the Philippines, Alabama, Virginia, Michigan, Alaska, and Maryland until they retired to San Antonio, TX.  In 2005, they moved back to Maryland to live with their daughter.

From formal military dinners to authentic Polish and Lithuanian meals at the holidays, and a plethora of baked delicacies for birthdays, Eleanor was well known for her delicious meals and her mouth-watering Italian cream cake. As an accomplished seamstress, she made all her gowns for the Air Force formals as well as many outfits for the entire family. Bowling well into her 80’s, Ellie lit up the alleys as the anchor on her many women and mixed bowling leagues winning many tournaments.  Ellie enjoyed playing cards with friends and family. From the Frankfort family rummy games, officers’ wives card clubs, canasta at the senior center, or a lively poker game with friends, she brought fun, competition, and laughter to every card table (including the Whole Nine Yards, her favorite!).  She also enjoyed dancing at the officer’s club and could give anyone a good run on the polka floor.

Eleanor was a faithful member of the St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church, in Damascus, Maryland.

Surviving Eleanor are her four children, Mary Ellen Whittington and husband, Marquis of San Antonio, TX, Susan Valeria Szapiel, MD of Scotch Plains, NJ, Cecilia Marie Williams and husband Bruce of Damascus, MD, and Stanley Vincent Szapiel, Jr and wife Morgen of Gulf Shores, AL; seven grandchildren, Sara Camm-Turietta, Seth Camm, Alexander Whittington, Maggie Mangrum, Nichole Williams, Alec Szapiel, and Sam Szapiel; six great grandchildren, Grant Soloway, Noland Soloway, Jacob Turietta, Liam Whittington, Beau Whittington, and Georgia Mangrum.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her two brothers Willie and Albert Easitis.

A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated by Monseigneur Edward Filardi at 11am on Monday, October 18, 2021.

 All are welcome, and those attending will be required to wear a mask or adequate face covering.

Interment will be at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery

Friends may call on Sunday, October 17 from 2-6pm at Bruce and Cissy’s home in Damascus.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Eleanor Szapiel’s memory to her church, St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church, 9250 Damascus Road, Damascus, MD 20872. 

Online condolences may be shared the family on our website at www.molesworthwilliams.com

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