Eleanor Dordelman, 89
Eleanor Belle Dordelman, who was born in Amagansett and was married to Carl Dordelman, a former chief of the East Hampton Village Police Department, died on June 20 at William Childs Hospice House in Palm Bay, Fla., following a massive stroke. She was 89.
“Mom was a very loving and caring mother,” said her daughter Adell Cohen of Barefoot Bay, Fla. “She was always smiling. Anyone who remembers mom would say that as well.”
Eleanor Belle Dordelman was born on Oct. 18, 1927, in Amagansett to Robert Reed and the former Florence Belle Miller. She grew up there and graduated from East Hampton High School.
The first time she and her husband met, Ms. Cohen said, her mother was walking toward him and another man, who was her boyfriend at the time. Mr. Dordelman is reported to have told the boyfriend that he was going to marry her. Ms. Cohen said she fell in love with him while reading letters he wrote to her while in the military during World War II. They were married while Mr. Dordelman was on leave, in 1944 or ’45.
Mr. Dordelman, who died in 2008, was a village police officer for 28 years, serving as chief for 11. He retired in 1977. Over the years, Mrs. Dordelman worked at Home, Sweet Home Museum, the A&P supermarket, a discount store called Priced Rite, and a bank, all in East Hampton. In 1983, the couple moved to Barefoot Bay.
“They took dancing lessons and loved ballroom dancing,” Ms. Cohen said. “Mom was on several committees in Barefoot Bay as chairwoman.” She said her mother also knitted beautiful sweaters and made many for her children and grandchildren. “She made two quilts by hand, one of state flowers that is incredibly beautiful. She knitted shawls for women in a nursing home where her mother lived until her passing.”
Along with Ms. Cohen, Mrs. Dordelman’s other children survive. They are Jeanne Suhr of Port St. Lucie, Fla., Carl Dordelman of Melbourne, Fla., Eleanor Emerich of Vero Beach, Fla., and Kathryn Wilson of Cumming, Ga. Thirteen grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren also survive.
A graveside service is to be held on Sept. 13 at 11 a.m. at Cedar Lawn Cemetery in East Hampton, the Rev. Scot McCachren of the East Hampton Presbyterian Church officiating.
Mrs. Dordelman’s family has suggested memorial contributions to William Childs Hospice House, 381 Medplex Parkway, Palm Bay, Fla. 32907. “Both my mom and dad spent their last days there, and the staff was incredibly compassionate and caring,” Ms. Cohen said.
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Correction: The family of Eleanor Dordelman gave the incorrect name for the cemetery where she will be buried. It is Cedar Lawn Cemetery in East Hampton.