Eleanore P. Van Essendelft

Eleanore Paauwe Van Essendelft, 95, of 7969 North Savannah Road, Belhaven, NC, died Thursday, September 10, 2015 in her home. Mrs. Van Essendelft was born in West Sayville, NY on July 19, 1920, and was the daughter of the late Leonard and Janna Verschuure Paauwe. A homemaker, she was a member of Bethany United Methodist Church, its United Methodist Women, and had also been very active through the years in both Tri-Community and Ponzer Ruritan Clubs. For her dedicated and continued service, in 1998 she was honored as the Ruritan of the Year by her local club where she had served in different leadership capacities including president, secretary, and director, and had also served as Governor of Zone 5 Greenville/Goldsboro District. She had also volunteered a 1000 hours each with both Southside Hospital in Bay Shore, NY and Vidant Beaufort Hospital in Washington, and was a life member of Long Island Wagoneers Camping Club in West Sayville. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Martinus A. Van Essendelft; three sisters, Lillian Nogiewich, Maude DeGroot, and Marion Corwin; a brother, Adrian Paauwe; and by a great-grandson, R.J. Clipperton. Surviving are her three daughters, Judy Griekspoor and husband John of Belhaven, Barbara Van Essendelft of Pinetown, and Cinda D'Amico and husband John of Bay Port, NY; three sons, Gerald Van Essendelft, Sr. and wife Marylu of Bath, Kenneth Van Essendelft and wife Debbie of West Sayville, and Lee Van Essendelft and wife Carol of Gulf Port, FL; a brother, William Paauwe of West Sayville; 18 grandchildren; 49 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family members. Funeral services will be held Monday at 10:00 a.m. in Bethany United Methodist Church, 2766 S. Savannah Road, Belhaven, by Pastor Wallace O'Neal, IV. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Friends may join the family Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m. in the church, and all other times at the residence. Miller & Van Essendelft Funeral Home, 1125 Harvey Point Road, Hertford, is handling arrangements. Flowers are welcomed, or contributions in her memory may be made to a charity of one's choice. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.