Eleanore Yatsko Blackman

Eleanore Blackman (nee Yatsko) passed away peacefully on June 14, 2024 surrounded by her family.  She is survived by her daughters, Allyson Hoyng (James), Andrea Perino (Angelo) and Annette Harlow (Ronald), and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.  She is preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Joseph, her daughter, Amy, and her brothers and sisters.

Born in Massillon, Ohio, Eleanore was the youngest of 10 children.  She attended Bowling Green State University and completed her Bachelor of Science at Duke University.  While in Durham, she met her future husband on a blind date at the movie ‘Oklahoma’.  This chance encounter grew into a lifetime partnership built on trust, faith and love. They raised their four daughters in Durham, NC and were active in their Catholic parish.  When the youngest of the children went to grade school, Eleanore resumed her career as a medical technician working in research for the University of North Carolina. After 20 years in a lab, she transitioned to working at a physician’s office for the remainder of her career.  Every patient she met had an impact on her, and she was beloved by the office staff and her patients as well.

Eleanore and Joe were inquisitive, wonderfully matched and strong supporters of education.  They were active in their children’s lives from early years through college. They encouraged their daughters to partake in study abroad programs and become independent and adventurous.  They applied this advice to themselves as well.   During their married life they visited dozens of international destinations on almost every continent.  They appreciated the culture and customs of each place they visited.  They also appreciated the history of their own country and made vacations fun by exploring the landmarks of the United States with their station wagon and camper, even before it became fashionable to live the “outdoor life”.

The most meaningful destination of their travels was the annual family reunion at Ocean Isle Beach.  For 34 years the event grew from three newly-married daughters to an extended family of 13 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren and dozens of in-laws.  This tradition continues.

Despite her broad and full life, Eleanore always centered on family.  She remained extremely close with her siblings in Ohio and was very active in her daughters’, grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s lives.  Her spirit can be summed up as: firm yet gentle, spiritual yet mischievous, practical yet spontaneous, but most of all, loyal and loving.  She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

A mass of Christian burial will be held Tuesday, June 25 at 10:00 am at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 211 Irwin Drive, Newton Grove, North Carolina.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the following organizations which were close to Eleanore’s heart:

Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church

211 Irwin Drive

Newton Grove, NC

Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church , Newton Grove, NC – Diocese of Raleigh

Camp Hope Illinois

PO Box 687

Lake Forest, IL  60045

Camp Hope (camphopeillinois.org)

Senior Services of North Fulton County

11381 Southbridge Parkway

Alpharetta, GA  30022

Welcome to Senior Services North Fulton - Senior Services North Fulton (ssnorthfulton.org)

Wright Funerals-Cremations, High Point is in charge of arrangements.