The devout handmaiden of God Eleanor Popovsky reposed in the Lord, strengthened by the Holy Sacraments, on Friday, March 8th at Cedarhurst Assisted Living Center in Granite City, Illinois.
When Eleanor was born in Madison Illinois on December 19th, 1934, her grandfather, a Macedonian immigrant, could not pronounce her name and called her “Noni” instead, a nickname that stayed with her all her life.
Noni was the valedictorian of her high school class, going on to earn her degree from the University of Illinois and work as a speech therapist and special education teacher in the Madison school district for forty-three years.
She was preceded in death by her dear father Christo Naum Popovsky and her dear mother Latsa (Pirovsky) Popovsky, along with her dear brother Lazar (Louis) Popovsky, known as “Lazhee” or by his stage name, Lou Kristofer. Though a lifelong resident of Madison and Granite City, she often spent summers in New York City, where she developed a love for Broadway shows and their movie adaptations, especially musicals, coming to count Carol Burnett and Bernadette Peters among her many friends.
Noni was a founding and faithful member of Sts. Cyril and Methody Orthodox Church, which she attended until failing health made it no longer possible.
Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 13th, at Irwin Chapel 3960 Maryville Road in Granite City, Illinois with a Panakhida service at 7 p.m.
The funeral Liturgy will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 14th, at Sts. Cyril and Methody Orthodox Church, 4770 Maryville Rd in Granite City, Illinois followed by internment at St. John Cemetery, 2901 Nameoki Road in Granite City, Illinois, and a memorial luncheon at the church.
Your prayers for her repose are requested. Memorials are suggested to Sts. Cyril and Methody Orthodox Church, or a charity of your choice. Condolence may be expressed to the family online at www.irwinchapel.com.
