Eleanor Lydia Bloomfield

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Eleanor Lydia Bloomfield on May 1, 2023.  Eleanor was a lively, kind, thoughtful, funny, social person who got along well with everyone she met.  Her high school friends described her as ‘very loquacious’ and ‘nice to look at and nicer to know’.  This held true throughout her life as Eleanor was the kind of person who everyone should strive to be.  She was always there for her family and friends alike, and could always find the good in someone, even when their actions might not warrant it 

Born to James and Anne Paul on December 19, 1932 in Haddon Heights NJ, Eleanor was the youngest of seven children.  She and her twin Billy were often entered in pageants and photographed on floats, where they were sometimes dressed as husband and wife, which must have set Eleanor up for a lifelong search for another Bill to marry.

In 1951, Eleanor graduated from Haddon Heights High School where she was an avid basketball and field hockey player.  After high school, she began working as a secretary for RCA and continued with team sports, joining the RCA bowling team.  After meeting at a dance, Eleanor and Bill Bloomfield had their first date at Chubby’s in Camden NJ.  The two married December 17th, 1955.

Eleanor and Bill moved to Oakwood NJ, where they were known to host lively neighborhood parties that were talked about long after they had moved away.  While living in Oakwood, Eleanor gave birth to three children, Brian, Scott, and Sandy.  Between sewing matching outfits for the boys, making halloween costumes and clothes for all the kids, making trips to the hospital with their adventurous middle child, and cleaning up after the boys decided to decorate the house with fireplace ash early one morning while Eleanor and Bill were “recovering” from one of the their infamous neighborhood parties , Eleanor also started a local bridge group that was still going strong 40+ years later, with 4 of its original members. 

In 1975, Eleanor and family moved to Annapolis MD where she would go on to be known for having the most beautiful gardens.  Eleanor fell in love with tennis, and could often be seen at the tennis courts, kids playing in the dirt, waiting not so patiently to go home.  As the kids got older, Eleanor had various part time jobs that culminated in her working with Bill at the family gas stations. At the stations, Eleanor often played peacemaker as Bill “occasionally” ended up in heated “discussions” with customers. She would often be the one to cover shifts when employees called out, often during the graveyard shift. In her free time, Eleanor was often ‘off with the girls’ walking, doing aerobics, playing tennis or with Bill boating and fishing on the Chesapeake.

In 1995 Eleanor retired and Bill and Eleanor began their years as snowbirds in Marco Island, Florida. .  After a number of years, they gave up their Maryland home and moved to Marco Island fulltime.  As always, Eleanor was wildly active and social. She filled her days with tennis, bridge, and boating trips.  

Throughout retirement Eleanor and Bill had wonderful adventures traveling the globe.  They traveled across the US visiting friends and family, went on many cruises, and took many trips abroad, filling their home with pictures and mementoes.  When she passed, there wasn’t a place left on Eleanor’s bucket list they hadn’t visited.

Eleanor also enjoyed taking ‘sister trips’ throughout the US.  When the Paul sisters came visiting, you could always count on stories, laughter, and LOTS of talking.  There are so many pictures of the Paul siblings throughout the years, as each time they gathered, they were sure to take a picture of the group because they always said, ‘You never know if we’ll all be here next year’.  As the last surviving sibling, I know the family has been saving a seat at the table for Eleanor and are having a party to welcome her home.  

Eleanor is survived by her husband of 67 years, Bill Bloomfield; children Brian (Brenda) Bloomfield of Stevensville MD, Scott (Lisa) Bloomfield of Pittsburgh PA, and Sandy (Sandy) Cederbaum of Athens GA; grandchildren Oliver and Cal Cederbaum.

Eleanor was predeceased by her parents James and Anne Paul; siblings Bob Paul (Sis), Ruth Harry (Cliff), Jack Paul (Ginny), Alice Kane (Pete), Billy Paul (Margie), and Jeanette Gillese (Ed).  

Family and friends are welcome to attend a celebration of life, which will be held at 1pm on June 24th in 1640 Bayside Dr, Chester MD.  Casual attire.  Please RSVP cederbas@gmail.com for address