Eleanor Gaynor passed peacefully from this life on Sunday, April 29th, 2019 at her home in Palisades, NY surrounded by her loving family. She was 95 years old.
She was born in Queens, NY on May 30th, 1923, to Hamilton and Theresa Lindgren Macauley. Eleanor’s mother passed away when she was nine years old. She was then raised by her beloved maternal aunt, Victoria Lindgren, who was affectionately known to all as “Auntie.”
She was predeceased by her husband Hugh (Bud) Gaynor Jr, her parents, her two brothers, Hamilton Macauley and his wife Irmgard, and Ormond Macauley and his wife Mary. Also, by her sisters in law, Loretta Gargan and her husband Edmund, and Viola Bishop and her husband Fred, and by her brother in law Robert Gaynor and his wife Kathleen.
She is survived by her sons, Hugh Gaynor III and his wife Marlene, Thomas Gaynor and his wife Patricia, John Gaynor and his wife Jean Cameron, and by her daughter Eleanor Topping. Also, by her grandchildren; Shawn Gaynor, Rebecca Boardman and her husband Robert, Kate Solodyna and her husband Chris, Patrick Gaynor, Nick Gaynor, Page Cameron, Eric Topping and his wife Kaylee, Victoria Topping, and by her eight great grandchildren.
Eleanor led a very active life. She enjoyed to travel, swim, play tennis, sail, and junking (finding treasures at garage sales, church sales, rummage sales, or on the side of the road, and selling them for a profit). She and Bud traveled extensively, both within the United States and abroad. She was a founding member of the Tappan Zee Thrift Shop in Piermont, a member of the Piermont Board of Elections, a member of Board of Directors of the Nyack YMCA, a member of the St. John’s Altar and Rosary Society, and a Cub Scout and Girl Scout Leader.
Eleanor loved to entertain and she had a special ability to make everyone fell welcome. Her large gatherings of friends and family, especially during the holidays, were legendary. None had officially begun until she had descended the staircase singing, “Here She Comes, Miss America.” Few will forget their first taste of her Swedish glug, served flaming, in a glass mug. Drinking it became a rite of passage.
She will be forever missed by her family and her many friends.
The family would like to especially thank Eleanor’s home care nurses, Andrea and Zena, who took such wonderful care of Eleanor in her twilight years. Their loving attention is deeply appreciated. They have become part of our family.

Visitation be on Friday, May 3rd from 3:00pm until 7:00pm at the Hannemann Funeral Home, 88 South Broadway, Nyack, NY 10960
A mass of Christian Burial will held on Saturday, May 4th at 10:00am at St. John the Baptist Church, 895 Piermont Ave. Piermont, New York 10968. Burial will be held at Rockland Cemetery, 201 Kings Highway, Sparkill, New York 10976, immediately following mass.