After a long and rich life, Eleanor Y. Lord passed away on May 2, 2024. Her daughter Julia was with her, and she had been visited by good friends. An activist and artist, Eleanor was a passionate person. She focused much of her life on making a difference for women and girls locally and nationally. Whatever Eleanor was passionate about, she never went halfway.
Eleanor was born in Hartford, Conn., on October 28, 1929. She was the eldest of three. She was an avid athlete in high school, winning many awards in tennis. She attended her mother’s alma mater, Vassar College, and graduated with a degree in economics and went on to earn her master’s degree in international affairs at Columbia University. Her first job out of college was to write the International column of the Morgan Guaranty Bank’s monthly newsletter. It was in New York City that Eleanor met her husband Frederick W. Lord, originally of Great Barrington. After getting married, the new couple moved to Egremont to be closer to Eleanor’s in-laws. They moved to Boulder Farm on Ice Glen Road in Stockbridge after the birth of their first child, David.
Eleanor became very involved with the issues of the times, starting with the anti-war movement and the Civil Rights Movement with her husband. She then started focusing her efforts on the emerging feminist movement, which continued throughout the rest of her life. She was one of the founders of the Women’s Services Center and the Rape Crisis Center, now the Elizabeth Freeman Center, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. She was one of the original board members of the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts, which funds programs for women and girls. Eleanor’s home, Boulder Farm, became the welcoming heart of the women’s community, a place for events, dances, and potlucks.
Eleanor is best remembered for her love of nature and art and her commitment to the support of women in their struggle and in their strength. In the 1980s, she worked with two friends as an artist’s representative and was part of the annual event Celebrate Berkshire Women Artists. In 1995, spurred on by her daughter Rebecca, Eleanor returned to her love of painting from her childhood and began creating art seriously. She jumped in with both feet and painted with local teachers in the area, Margot Trout, Kate Knapp, and others, as well as on her own. She explored many mediums and settled in with pastels. She was a strong and confident painter with a vibrant palette that captured the energy and curiosity of her subject. Her work was shown in both the Berkshires and in Hudson.
Eleanor was an accomplished pianist and loved playing everything from Jerome Kern to Brahms, Gershwin, and Shubert. She loved all that the Berkshires offered, the landscapes she painted, the arts community she was a part of, and the cultural venues, especially Tanglewood, Jacob’s Pillow, and the theater.
Eleanor is predeceased by her husband of 15 years, Frederick W. Lord, and her partner of 40 years, Margaret Wheeler. She will be remembered for her optimism and infectious smile and her fabulous dancing. Eleanor leaves on the dance floor her loving family: her son David and his partner MoonSong; her daughter Rebecca and her wife Janita; her daughter Julia and her husband Lee; her twin grandsons, Gabriel and Samuel; and her stepdaughter Catherine Wheeler.
Eleanor also leaves her dear friends at Pine Hill Assisted Living at Kimball Farms a huge hug, a light heart, and a big thank you for being a wonderful part of her life.
The family will host a Ceremony of Remembrance with friends later in the summer. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Elizabeth Freeman Center, 43 Francis Avenue, Pittsfield, MA 01201.
