Eleanor R.

Howland (Talbot)

Eleanor Ruth Howland (Talbot) of Haverhill, Massachusetts, passed peacefully away on November 7, 2026, at the age of 95. Born on June 23, 1931, in Wakefield, Massachusetts, she was the beloved daughter of Thomas Talbot and Grace (Bower) Talbot. She attended Saint Joseph’s Parochial Schools and went on to raise her children in Tewksbury, Massachusetts.

Eleanor worked hard throughout her life, holding a variety of positions to provide for her family, and ultimately retired from Digital Equipment Corporation as a circuit board technician. Her spirit was always adventurous. Alongside her many friends from the Haverhill and Methuen senior centers, she explored scenic America and Alaska, Canada, Ireland and parts of the Caribbean. She treasured day trips, bowling with the Methuen Senior League, and line dancing, and her beautiful knitting earned her blue ribbon awards at the Topsfield Fair, a hobby she loved dearly.

To those at High Pointe House, she was affectionately “Ellie.” Her faith was the heart of her life, and she found great comfort in attending mass and praying at All Saints Parish in Haverhill.

Eleanor leaves behind her loving husband of 28 years, Arthur, and her devoted daughters: Charlene Pigulski and her husband Stephan of Kingston, NH; Charlotte Bassett of Haverhill, MA; Cynthia Bresnahan and her partner Lance Morgan of North Oxford, MA; and Cheryl Demouras and her partner James Cartagno of Tewksbury, MA. She also leaves her dear brother, George Talbot of Tewksbury, MA.

She was predeceased by her brother Thomas Talbot and her sisters Dorothy Hayes, Gracie Doucette, Elizabeth Souza, Edna Dougherty, and Katherine Murphy.

She was also predeceased by her grandchildren Daniel Thuillier and Belinda Meehan, and her great-grandchild Michael Mallahan.

Eleanor’s greatest joy was her family. She cherished her 10 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and, as her crowning jewel, her 2 great-great-grandchildren, which allowed her to document five generations together. “Nana Old,” as many of her grandchildren knew her, was immensely proud of that. She also leaves behind many beloved nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are warmly invited to calling hours on Thursday, November 19, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Brookside Chapel & Funeral Home, 116 Main Street, Plaistow, New Hampshire 03865. A Mass will be celebrated on Friday, November 20, at 11:00 AM at All Saints Parish, 120 Bellevue Avenue, Haverhill, Massachusetts. Burial will follow at Saint Joseph’s Cemetery, Hilldale Avenue, Haverhill, Massachusetts.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Eleanor’s memory may make a charitable contribution to the Haverhill Senior Center, 10 Welcome Street, Haverhill, MA.