Eleanor Marie Spink
08/02/1927 – 06/12/2026
Born in Grand Junction, Colorado to Vernon & Renabell Vawter. She was the 8th of 10 Children. The family spent time residing in Colorado and Missouri before relocating to Portland, Oregon in 1939.
She Attended Gresham High School. In 1945, while working at Meier & Frank she was introduced to her fiancé. His mother Mabel who also worked at M&F, the second of three generations who met their spouse at M&F
Walt Spink Jr and Eleanor married 04/21/1946. They lived in Vanport until the May 30,1948 flood forced relocation to Portland, eventually purchasing the home near Sunnyside Elementary School shortly before my birth (Walt Spink III) in April 1950.
Between 1947-1952, four children Alice (1947), Betty (1948), Walt (1950) and Willie (1952) Eleanor was active in school’s parent-teacher meeting and also as PTA president for 1 year in the mid 70’s the empty-nesters relocated to a mobile home park in Boring, Oregon and began attending Orient Drive Baptist Church now known as Pathway Sandy.
Dad died by cancer in 1989. Age 66. Betty died 2004 age 55 by stroke. Alice was killed Dec 2025 by ALS. Mom eventually moved to a senior housing, Whispering Pines, in Estacada.
In 2023 she moved into live with Alice & Jerry until Alice was diagnosed with ALS. 03/2023 – 10/2024. In October 2024 Eleanor was relocated to the Graceful Living Care Home owned & managed by Bontu Kefele
Eleanor enjoyed Guitar vocal band/quartet music, pinochle & bridge, word search puzzles and Skip-BO
She had strong faith that sustained her through her family struggles and trials, always leaning on the God whom she met EVERY day when possible via devotions, bible study and morning prayer. Usually before her morning breakfast. She was a tithing member of ODBC/Pathway Sandy 40+ years.
Eleanor is survived by two sons Walt(Yvette), Willie(Becky), Son-in-law Jerry Carlson, 11 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, 3 great great grandchildren.