Eleanor Drake-Lewis

Dr. Eleanor Drake-Lewis, 88, of West Mersea, Essex, England, passed away in Brightlingsea on May 31, 2007.
At 19, she began a career in education when she helped evacuate and then teach young children for several years during WWII. In 1944, she received commendations from the Secretary of Education as well as from the Red Cross for raising funds for the Red Cross war e

ffort through sale of art projects crafted by therapy patients at St. John Convalescent Home.
An international lecturer of textile art, she was a professor at numerous colleges in UK. She received her doctorate from Penn State in USA and taught classes at Frostburg College in Maryland. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma International and led a 1985 Travel/Study Course for US teachers in Great Britain which Patricia Kirksey and daughters, Anna and Margo, of Lockhart attended. Eleanor was a frequent visitor to Lockhart, presented several programs at Kiwanis Club, and was given a “Key to the City of Lockhart” by then City Manager Joe Michie.
In addition to her teaching assignments and art exhibits throughout the world, she was an astute business woman. In the 1950″s she lived in Regent”s Park, London, and refurbished a dwelling house owned by the Crown. In the 1970″s, she purchased Drake Shipyard in Tollesbury and redeveloped the property to a Yacht Club and flats. Eleanor loved the sea, enjoyed three trips around the world, and shared academic conversations with fellow travelers in many continents. Her retirement years were spent in West Mersea.
A memorial service is planned for June 26 at Tollesbury Congregational Church with Rev. Philip Grove officiating.