Eleanor Salan (Goetchuis) Willis

Eleanor Salan Willis, 84 of Storrs died Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at Hartford Hospital. Born February 1, 1932 in Norwich, CT daughter of the late Roy and Christina Gundersen Goetchuis of Canterbury. Eleanor is preceded in death by her husbands Robert Willis, Sr. Of Eastford, and Chester Salan of Willimantic and youngest daughter Christine Salan Raiola of Willington. Elly, known as "Gutch" grew up in Canterbury, Ct and graduated from Griswold High School Class of 1949. After graduation, she worked at the American Thread Company as a secretary. She then helped run with her first husband Chester the Salan Electric Company for 25 years. She enjoyed traveling to Europe, Alaska and the Caribbean on many trips and cruises. Eleanor worked at The University of Connecticut Department of Athletics for 18 years in the ticket office where she made lifelong friends and travelled to UConn football and basketball games. She was known for being the life of the tailgate party. Elly loved her flower gardens, Columbia Lake and entertaining her friends and family. She had many adopted kids from E. O. Smith High School who congregated at her home on the weekends. She fondly hosted college soccer player exchange students from Ireland at her house in Mansfield. She is survived by her sister Joan Goetchuis of Canterbury and Evette Andrzeicik Gordon of Jewett City, her best friend of 70 years. Eleanor is also survived by her daughter Debra Salan Burns and her husband Rusty of Dallas, TX, her son Joseph Salan and his wife Dawn of Hebron, her daughter Susan Salan Lyman and her husband James of Columbia and son-in-law Francis Raiola of Willington; her grandchildren Kelly and Kirsten Burns of Dallas, Texas, Joshua and Jack Salan of Hebron, Andrew Lyman of Columbia, Chelsea Raiola of Lowell, Mass and Scott Raiola of Ellington. Calling Hours for Eleanor will be held on Friday, January 27, 2017 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson Street (Route 195) Willimantic, CT 06226. A Graveside Service will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 28, 2017 at St. Joseph Cemetery, Club Road in Windham, CT. Donations can be made in her name to the Mansfield Fire Department, 4 South Eagleville Road, Storrs, CT 06268. To sign the online memorial guestbook, please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com