Eleanor Dancho
A great woman living a quiet, peaceful life died Monday. Eleanor Dancho, 93 died at home surrounded by family. It’s important to note, in those 93 years, she never missed one hair appointment because she deserved to look good.
She was the daughter of the late Peter and Martha (Harzinski) Drochak, born December 31, 1928. Eleanor had 3 siblings, John and Steven Drochak and Pauline Robbins; all of them preceded her in death.
She was a tough-as-nails Depression baby. During WWII, she worked in a bomb factory as an inspector. Perhaps being too strict in her quality control, because she’d send them back if even a hair was out of place, her boss told her go a little easier on the bombs. She said she couldn’t because she was doing everything she could to keep our boys safe.
She married one of those boys, Joseph, “Jud” Dancho, a proud veteran. After the war, they built and ran the Mallard Motel and Cold Stream Diner in Philipsburg. Both enjoyed travel and They did well and were able to give what they could to the Russian Orthodox Church in Osceola Mill, Pa. She will be buried there in plot next to husband’s, who passed away in 2007.
Eleanor saw so much in her life. She was a proud mother to her only son, Gregory. She watched him graduate from Lock Haven University and also watched Gregg go on raise a family and work with autistic children in homes and schools and also worked in business. When she got up in years, Gregg was the one driving her to doctor’s appointments and helping out around the house. Gregg’s wife, Kathy, brought 2 granddaughters, Ashley and Lauren and another grandson, Brett. Kathy was pharmacist and would discuss Eleanor’s medications with her with and list every single side effect.
She saw both her grandchildren attend universities. Her close friend Kathy worked at one student bookstore, and Eleanor once insisted she give them the store discount, even though it was obvious to anyone that Kathy was not buying engineering textbooks for herself. When her grandson Ryan couldn’t afford an apartment, she let him live with him for a year while he went to school.
She saw her grandson Matt start his own business teaching online courses in data science, and artificial intelligence. Matt recently received an award for his first million dollars in sales. She also saw him build a family of his own with his wife, Haley. There are three beautiful great grandchildren, Shay and Smith Dancho and Nolan Campbell.
After Joseph died, Eleanor fought hard with the VA to receive death benefits for the better part of a decade. When she finally got her payout, she used it to throw Matt and Haley a wedding party.
She saw Ryan put on his first play in New York, even though she fell asleep during it and snored right next to him. I guess we can forgive her for that. She did say she needed a coffee.
In Eleanor’s life, she survived Legionnaire’s Disease, blood clots, being hit by lightning, and several bouts with cancer over the years. She just wouldn’t quit. Honestly, we thought she’d outlive all of us. She was always there and we’re sorry if we ever took her for granted. She meant so much to us all.
Eleanor is survived by generations of friends and family. They are too numerous to list here but you know who you are. A poet once said you die two deaths—once when the body dies and once when your name is spoken for the last time. Please join me in saying her name for years to come, “Eleanor Dancho.” Once more for good measure, “Eleanor Dancho!”
A Funeral Service will be held Saturday, November 19, 2022, at 11 a.m., at the Nativity of the Virgin Mary Orthodox Church, Osceola Mills, Pa, with Archimandrite Jacob Piruta, officiating. Burial will follow in Nativity of the Virgin Mary Orthodox Cemetery, Osceola Mills, Pa.
The Heath Funeral Home & Cremation Services, LLC, Osceola Mills, PA is in charge of arrangements.
To Sign the online guestbook – Go To: www.heathfuneral.com
