Eleanor Irene Deering, 91, of Traverse City and a lifelong resident of the area, passed away Friday, February 7, 2020 at Medilodge GTC in Traverse City.

Eleanor was born on Saturday, September 8, 1928 to the late Joseph and Josephine (Kadrovach) Kaniewski in Maple City.

A 23-year employee of J. C. Penney, Eleanor opened the first catalog order center for them here in Traverse City. She retired in 1991. She was a long-time member of St. Francis Catholic Church and volunteered her time at the St. Vincent DePaul Society and The Father Fred Foundation. She enjoyed working on ceramics, knitting, crocheting and needlework and always enjoyed working in her garden, where she raised flowers and vegetables. Her greatest joy was her time spent with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Eleanor is survived by her children, Michael P. (Rose Mary) Deering, Agnes K. Ochs, Patrick J. (Peggy) Deering, Gerald M. (Deborah) Deering and Mary Ann (Kenneth) Stein, all of Traverse City; 9 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren; a brother Joseph (Vickie) Kaniewski of Wyoming, MI and a sister Adrienne Rudolph of Traverse City, along with a number of nieces and nephews. Eleanor was preceded in death by her sons-in-law, Steven Mann and Arnie Ochs; her brother Richard and her parents, Joseph Kaniewski and Josephine Kaniewski Babel, step-father Joseph Babel and brother-in-law, Joseph Rudolph.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, February 13, 2020 at St. Francis Catholic Church with The Rev. Father Donald Geyman celebrating the mass. Visitation will take place at the church beginning at 11:30 p.m. Burial will be in Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens.

The family has asked that Eleanor be remembered through memorial contributions to her favorite charities, The St. Vincent DePaul Society, 1207 Woodmere Ave., Traverse City, MI 49686, The Father Fred Foundation, P. O. Box 2260, Traverse City, MI 49685 or for mass intentions.