Eleynor May Harmon

Eleynor May (Markey) Harmon, 86, died on Sunday, May 10, 2015 at Parker Adventist Hospital in Parker, Colorado following a series of medical events she endured over the past 18 months. Her struggle was long but she was a fighter to the end. Eleynor was a devoted wife, mother and friend who maintained special relationships with people from every stage of her life. She had a ready laugh, a smile that could light up a room, and a joy for life that was unmatched. Eleynor was born at home in rural Ottawa County, Kansas on January 5, 1929. She attended a one-room country school and later graduated from Bennington High School in 1946 with a close group of friends affectionately known as, ""the kids,"" who she gathered with as recently as August of 2014. Also at Bennington High School, Eleynor met Jack Harmon. The pair dated during high school and stayed in touch after Jack left Kansas to join the Navy. Upon his discharge, Jack proposed and they were married on August 9, 1952 at Sacred Heart Church in Niles, Kansas. Jack and Eleynor celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary in 2014. Over the years, Eleynor worked at Oehlert Tractor, International Milling and Boeing in Kansas before moving to Denver, Colorado with Jack and their children in 1968. In Denver, Eleynor began working for the John Deere Parts Depot where she was known as ""Mother Superior"" because she became a confidante and friend to so many. She dedicated 26 years before her retirement in 1995. Eleynor is survived by her husband, Jack Harmon, her sister, Patricia Lipe, and her five children; Jim (Margaret) Harmon, Jackie (Terry) Hodge, Kathy Harmon, Jeff (Amie) Harmon, and Brad Harmon. Also surviving are her niece, Tina (Troy) Ward, her nephew, James Lipe, nine grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her father, James Markey, and her mother, Inez Markey. Funeral Mass will be at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Aurora, Colorado at 10:00 on May 14th. The family would like to thank the wonderful medical staff in the ICU at Parker Adventist Hospital for their compassionate care. If donations are preferred, the family suggests American Lung Association or Denver Catholic Charities.