Eleanore F. Kent Obituary (1925 - 2021)

On Saturday, October 16, 2021, Eleanore F. Kent "Dede" & "Ellie", age 96, went home to be with her Lord and Savior. Eleanore was a Godly woman who loved the Lord, her family, and her friends with all her heart. Her son, Wayne, was with her and held her hand as she made the journey to Heaven. Eleanore was born on July 22, 1925, to the late Harry and Elsie (Locke) Forrest. The Forrest family moved to Pine Valley, NY in 1938. Eleanore joined Pine Valley Baptist Church at the young age of 15 and continued being an active member of the church for the next 71 years. Eleanore married her love, Ronald K. Kent, on November 3, 1945. They were married for 67 years until Ronnie passed away in May of 2013. Eleanore is survived by her sons: Kenneth (Jean) Kent, Wayne Kent. Grandchildren: Sarah (David), Andrea, Katie (Jared) and Kody. Great Grandchildren: Samantha, Noah, Matthew, Ava, Alexis, Makayla, Jonathon, Chloe, Cory, James, Benjamin, Madison, Parker, Evelyn, Mila, and her special "buddy" Knox. Siblings: Harold (Luella), Mina, Shirley, and Bill (Roberta). Nieces and nephews: Henry (Michelle), Harry (Amy), Howard (Kim), Sharon (Todd), Kathy (Mike), Dana (Bob), David, Daniel (Bonnie), Kimber, Kevan (Heather), Craig, Amy, Scott (Bobbi Jo) as well as many great nieces and nephews whom she loved as well. Eleanore was predeceased by her husband Ronald, daughter-in-law Diane Kent, brother Kenneth Forrest, grandson Ryan Scherer and granddaughter, Heidi Catlin. Everyone that knew Eleanore knew that she loved people and that she loved to talk. She could talk about anything and everything with anyone at any time. But her favorite thing to talk about was her love for the Lord. We truly believe she helped lead souls to Jesus which was her main goal and mission in this life. Not only was she extremely kind and thoughtful, but she was also exceedingly generous too. As the matriarch of a dairy farming family, she and Ronnie worked hard for everything they had. Eleanore, in particular, was the saver of the family and was always able to generously help a family member, friend or stranger in need, no matter the circumstances. Quite often her generosity was contingent on the guarantee of anonymity. At the age of 18 Eleanore began her work life at Rose, Kimble & Baxter in Elmira during WWII. Later in life, besides her duties on the farm, Eleanore worked as a librarian and an administrative secretary for the Horsehead School District. Eleanore enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, attending church, watching Jeopardy (you never called Dede at 7 pm!), studying her Bible, attending her monthly ladies' luncheons, collecting stamps, maps and writing and sending very personal and timely cards to her dear friends and family. In addition to attending Pine Valley Baptist Church, Eleanore & her son Wayne also enjoyed attending services at Cornerstone Seventh Day Adventist Church. When Eleanore moved to Wellsboro in 2019 to live with Katie, Jared and their children, she quickly began attending Cherry Flats Baptist Church and was welcomed with open arms. The highlights of her week included her bi-weekly hair appointments with Patti Hutcheson and her Sunday church outings. Patti was kind enough to come to the Samaritan House and cut and style Dede's hair one last time. We are beyond thankful that she did this. That was one of Eleanore's last requests was to have her hair done. Thank you, Patti, for being so kind and accommodating. At 96 years old, Eleanore lived a long life and had so many special relationships. She received numerous phone calls, cards and letters every single day. These kind actions of others lifted her spirits and truly meant the world to her. While it would be an impossible task to list and thank all the special people in Eleanore's life, she would want to say thank you none the less. She would want you all to know how happy you made her and how much she loved all of you. She cherished every relationship, every connection, she made, no matter how long or short. Special friends and family include (but certainly is not limited to!): Sister-in-Law Luella Forrest, Vicki Mann Egerton and the entire Mann family, Mike Royce, Joe Demember, The Lobdell family, Jean Jones, Priscilla & Barb, The Robbins, Kevin & Norma Erickson, Grandpa Kenneth Erickson for opening up his home to Eleanore in her time of extreme need; Carole Scherer, her cousins Glen, Gerald and Audrey, Lindsey Helkenn & Andrew Jacobus as well as the entire Jacobus family, Gary Hartman, the Lants, Dawn Haverly, Karen & Leona, Cora Janowski, Donnie & Shiela McIlwayne, Joanne Schwab, Kimber & Amy ; and Scott, Bobbi Jo & Ethan for making the trip to see her before she passed. A special thanks to Pastor Andrew Gable, his family and the entire congregation, both past and present, of Pine Valley Baptist Church. Further special thanks to Pastor Ken Smith, his family and the entire congregation of Cherry Flats Baptist Church. Also, a special thank you to the ICU nurses at UPMC Wellsboro Hospital. Finally, a very special recognition to the director, board members and volunteers of the Samaritan House in Wellsboro PA. This amazing charity, whose sole purpose is to provide a comfortable, loving, home-based atmosphere for hospice care patients, opened its doors and staffed its house 24/7 with volunteers for Eleanore for the first time since Covid 19. The care, compassion, love, and grace with which the staff and volunteers cared for Dede in her last week on earth are truly a blessing of magnitude that her family can never repay. While they may still be cleaning up from having her great grandchildren there, being able to have such an atmosphere to spend those precious last moments with Eleanore is priceless. The family asks in lieu of flowers, a donation be made in Eleanores name to the Samaritan House of Wellsboro. For information please contact Ms. Anna Dunlap at 570-948-9494. They are always in need of basic household supplies to stock the house or accept monetary donations as well. A number of stamped, addressed envelopes will be available at the memorial service for those that feel compelled to give at that time.