Eleanor Jean (Haddad) Nassiff, age 77, died in the loving presence of her family on Sunday June 22, 2008. Eleanor's devotion to her family and friends and her unabashed lust for life will be missed by all who knew her. Eleanor was born in Willimantic on Sept. 22, 1930 to William and Nellie Haddad. She was a graduate of Windham High School and Morse College. Eleanor and her husband Dick owned and operated Nassiff's for Sports in Willimantic where she worked from 1955 until her retirement in 1984. Along with the family business, Eleanor had many interests. She was a lifelong member of the Lebanese American Club of Willimantic and a past member of the Willimantic Country Club. She loved golf and was a fiery bridge player. She was also a gifted cook, especially Lebanese cuisine and pastries where love was always the main ingredient. She derived great joy sharing her zest for life and made certain those she loved gathered regularly. She will be missed by the friends she made both here and in Florida. Eleanor will be remembered most for her radiant smile, ready laugh and the generosity and kindness she bestowed to all. Her greatest passion was her love for her grandchildren who inspired her and carried her through life's journey as they affectionately referred to her as Sitto. Eleanor leaves behind the love of her life, her husband Richard Nassiff with whom she shared 54 wonderful years; her son Richard Nassiff Jr., his wife Sonia DiGiacomo and three daughters, Nell, Anna, and Emily; a daughter Susan J. Nassiff, her son Nicholas Nassiff and wife Rhonda; son James Nassiff, his wife Jill McNulty and their children Aminah and Tammer. In addition she leaves behind her brother James Haddad of New Jersey and sister Jennie Gorra of Manchester and many nieces, nephews and friends whom she cherished deeply. She was predeceased by her brothers Col. Frederick B. Haddad and Theodore Haddad. Calling hours will be held at Potter Funeral Home 456 Jackson St. (Rte.195) Willimantic on Thursday 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Her Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday at St. Joseph Church 99 Jackson St. Willimantic, Conn. Interment will follow in New Willimantic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that donations be made in Eleanor's honor to the Windham Community Memorial Hospital Development Fund 112 Mansfield Ave, Willimantic, CT 06226 whose staff cannot be commended enough for their professional and compassionate work as they helped Eleanor and her family in her final days, or to Eleanor's favorite charity, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN . 38105. For online memorial guestbook and directions, please visit
www.potterfuneralhome.com
.