Eleanor Anne Peternel

Wolfeboro, NH- On Thursday, April 16, 2020, Eleanor Anne (McFadden) Peternel, a loving wife and mother of six children, passed away at age 87. Eleanor was born on March 15, 1933 in Johnstown, PA, to John and Rebecca (Thompson) McFadden. Eleanor grew up in Ebensburg, PA, until moving to Pittsburgh, PA, for her high school years. She is a graduate of Mount Mercy Academy in Pittsburgh. Eleanor received a bachelor of science in nursing from Mount Mercy College (now Carlow University). She worked as a nursing instructor at Presbyterian University Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA and as a Nursing Supervisor at Cincinnati General Hospital. She married Wayne William Peternel on April 23, 1960, at St. Bernard Church, in Mount Lebanon, PA. Eleanor later earned a master of arts in spiritual formation from Duquesne University. Throughout her life, Eleanor spent time volunteering for Right to Life and other organizations. She provided spiritual counseling for prisoners at the Allegheny County Jail in Pittsburgh, PA, for many years. Eleanor was a long time member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. In recent years, Eleanor was an active parishioner of St. Katharine Drexel Church in Alton, NH, where she joined the Ladies of St. Katharine and the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). She enjoyed reading, swimming, kayaking, and playing classical music on the grand piano at the family home at Crescent Lake, in Wolfeboro, NH. Eleanor Peternel is survived by her husband of 59 years, Wayne Peternel, of Wolfeboro, NH; a brother, Robert McFadden of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; three sons and their families: William and Catherine Peternel of Wolfeboro, James Peternel of Seattle, Washington, and Timothy and Pamela Peternel of Los Angeles, CA; two daughters and their families: Patricia and John Welter of Londonderry, NH, and Jennifer and James Libby of Standish, Maine. Eleanor was predeceased by a daughter, Emily. She had eleven grandchildren and two great grandchildren. A private graveside service will be held at Lakeview Cemetery in Wolfeboro. The Baker-Gagne Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Wolfeboro is assisting the family with the arrangements. To share your condolences, messages, stories and sign an online guest book, visit www.baker-gagnefuneralhomes.com