ELINOR GENTILMAN

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Elinor C. Gentilman, of 113 Park Avenue, Kane, died Friday, January 9, 2009 at home.

She was born June 19, 1916 in Scranton to William L. and Mabel Grace Cairns. On March 2, 1946, at the Army Chapel of Camp Custer in Battle Creek, Michigan she married Victor E. Gentilman to whom she was married more than 59 years at the time of his death in 2005.

She was a graduate of Clarks Summit High School, Keystone Junior College and Penn State University where she received both her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees.

She was in charge of girls' health and physical education at State College High School, in State College, Pa. During WWII she joined the Army. Lt. Elinor Cairns served as a physical therapist on the staff of Percy Jones General Hospital, in Battle Creek, Mich.

Following her marriage she was a housewife, loving mother, community organizer and substitute teacher of physical education at Kane Area High School. She also provided physical therapy services to individuals in the community.

Elinor and her husband Victor were active in the community and were partners in their many activities, including PTA, Cub Scouts, the creation and conduct of the annual Grade School Track Meet, Seneca Squares and many other community groups and projects. She was also active in Kane Garden Club, in particular with youth gardening projects.

Elinor and Victor enjoyed square dancing. In retirement they achieved their goal of traveling the country and square dancing in all 50 states. She was an excellent seamstress, making their square dancing outfits.

As winter residents of Kissimee, Fla. for many years, they organized annual gatherings for the dozens of Kane Area "snowbirds."

She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Kane, where she also taught Sunday School.

She is survived by two sons and a daughter, Richard L. (Elinor) Gentilman of Acton, Mass., Ruth Gentilman (James) Peterson of Kane, and William V. (Trish) Gentilman of Warren; two grandsons, Daniel and Matthew Jeffrey of Warren and many nieces and nephews, including Karen Gentilman (Butch) Clopp of Great Valley, N.Y. and Robert V. Watson of Bethlehem, Pa., to whom she was particularly close.

In addition to her husband and parents, Elinor was preceded in death by two sisters, Edith Ackerman of Dudley, Mass. and Ruth L. Watson of Clarks Summit, Pa. (formerly of Kane).

Friends will be received Tuesday, January 13 from 24 p.m. and 79 p.m. at the Cummings Funeral Home.

A memorial service will be held in the Chapel of the First United Methodist Church of Kane on Wednesday, January 14 at 11 a.m., followed by a luncheon at the church.

Inurnment will be at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., once again alongside her beloved husband.

Memorial donations may be made to the KASD Gentilman Scholarship Fund, c/o Kane Area School District, 400 W. Hemlock Avenue; First United Methodist Church of Kane, 112 Greeves Street; KCH Home Health Care, 4372 Route 6, Kane, PA 16735 or a charity of the donor's choice.

Online condolences can be expressed at www.cummingsfh.com