Eleanor Jane Gigliotti, age 99, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 27, 2020 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Chesterfield, Missouri. Eleanor’s entire family was able to visit and share special memories by Webex thanks to the outstanding, compassionate nurses and staff at the hospital.

Eleanor was born to Ruth and Archie Schmardebeck. She was a loving and wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Our mother will be greatly missed. She and her husband, Vincent William Gigliotti, began their life together as sweethearts at Woodward High School in Toledo, Ohio, and that love and friendship continued and grew through many years together. They were married 72 years. Both were active members at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church (Toledo, Ohio) and they sang in the choir for 25 years.

Eleanor completed three years in Business Administration at the University of Toledo. She left the university at the onset of World War II and worked for a government corporation, Price Control. Later in her life, she returned to the university and completed her final year of studies to receive her diploma – something she had long wished to accomplish. She was always a big sports fan and follower of the University of Toledo basketball team. When her husband, Vincent, a skilled custom men’s tailor, returned from World War II, they opened a cleaning and tailoring shop in Toledo. They continued in this business together for over 60 years.

Family was the joy of her life! Eleanor and her husband shared many happy adventures together with their children and grandchildren, especially camping and canoeing in Michigan; numerous summers on Opinicon Lake in Ontario, Canada; visits to Mackinac Island and Frankenmuth, Michigan; and a Christmas vacation to Yellowstone National Park. Everyone in the family shared their love of the outdoors. Vincent and Eleanor also enjoyed another mutual interest – the arts. They supported the Toledo Ballet Company, the Toledo Symphony, and the Toledo Opera. Throughout their lives, they traveled extensively in the United States, Mexico, Europe, and the Caribbean Islands. They especially loved to go on cruises!

Eleanor is survived by her three children: (Skip) Vincent C. Gigliotti (Kathleen), Chriss J. Gigliotti (Terri), and Nancy Gigliotti Lynn (C. George); Grandchildren: Courtney Gigliotti, Christy Gigliotti (Jonas Feinstein), Alissa Gigliotti (Boyd Wright), Geoffrey Gigliotti (Jaime), Heather Lynn, Chessey Lynn Brenton (Chad) and 10 great grandchildren.

Preceded in death by her husband, Vincent William Gigliotti (1922 – 2014); and her grandson, Matthew Chriss Gigliotti.

The funeral and memorial service will be private at a date TBD.

Those wishing to make a memorial contribution are asked to consider:

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church

428 North Erie Street

Toledo, Ohio 43604

(419) 243-4214