Eleanor Ruth (Stano) Sussdorf of Barnstable, MA, formerly of Hastings-on-Hudson, NY, died peacefully at home on Monday, January 15, 2024 at the age of 94. She was the wife of the late Dieter H. Sussdorf, daughter of the late Joseph and Susan (Milan) Stano, and the mother of Claudia E. Sussdorf of Cummaquid, MA, Wendy S. Pires of Wareham, MA, and Ellen S. Massee, of Colebrook, CT.  In addition to her daughters, she is survived by her brother and sister-in-law Robert and Marilyn Stano of Donnelly, ID, her sister Ellen Stano Smith of Bethesda, MD, sons-in-law Doug McKibbin and Tony Pires, and five grandchildren: Caroline R. Pires, Thomas A. Pires, Christopher H. Pires, Lily Massee, and Jack Massee.  She is predeceased by five siblings: Joseph, Bess, Helen, William, and Walter.
 
Eleanor was born the daughter of Czech immigrants on December 1,1929 in Sharon, Pennsylvania.  Eleanor graduated from Hickory High School earning a full scholarship to attend the University of Chicago.  A lover of books, her first job was with the educational publishing company, Scott Foresman.  In 1954, she met her husband, Dieter, then a PhD student at the University of Chicago. In 1959 she gave birth to twin daughters Claudia and Wendy.  They later moved to Arcadia, CA and Rockville, MD before settling in Hastings-on-Hudson, NY, where her youngest daughter Ellen was born.   Ellie worked full time at the Hastings High School Library and later as a substitute teacher.  She was a voracious reader and an avid tennis player and made lifelong friends through the Hastings schools, tennis, and the League of Women Voters. She enjoyed traveling with her husband throughout the United States and Europe and was especially taken with Paris, the Swiss Alps, and Cape Cod.  In 1995 Ellie and Dieter realized their dream of retiring to the Cape, settling in Barnstable Village. Sadly, Dieter passed away just three years later but Ellie went on to live a rich life in Barnstable, establishing new friendships through her book club, her ladies lunch group, and her volunteer work at the Sturgis Library, where she helped run the book shop for over a decade. Her last 15 years were greatly enhanced by relationships with her long-time care providers, who became like an extended family to her and enabled her to remain in her beloved home until her death.
 
Ellie was known for her intellectual curiosity, generosity, and frank conversation.   She held strong opinions and was a creative thinker, developing  signature sayings and personal philosophies that guided her own life and inspired those around her.  Despite numerous health challenges in her later years, she maintained remarkable good humor and an indomitable positive attitude, finding endless delight in the comforts of her home, friends and family, caregivers, her dog Nellie Bly, and a good cup of coffee.
 
The family would like to express gratitude to all those who cared for Ellie, including her home care providers and Beacon Hospice, with special thanks to Ellie’s niece Sally and her husband Stan.  Burial will be private, and a memorial service will be held at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, gifts in her memory may be sent to Beacon Hospice or the MSPCA of Cape Cod.
 

Ellie-we miss you so much. every day. You were my first friend in Barnstable. The two of us liked that we are the same age. And we stayed good friends all thru the years. The books really brought us together. I remember how much I always looked forward to our book group meetings, and the fun we would have visiting, talking. Your keen curiosity and intelligence always there with us. I’ll never forget that about you, how smart and curious you were. Mostly, I remember your steadfast friendship and love. R.I.P. dear Ellie. with love, Nadeane

I will miss Ellie, I was part of her book group and our meetings were always interesting, informative and great fun. Ellie was one of the loveliest women I have had the pleasure to know, she was loyal, kind, generous, witty and had a great joie d'vivre.