Eleanor M Begley

Eleanor Begley of Sun City Center, Florida passed away peacefully on August 21,2026 at the age of 105. She started life on July 19,1921 as Eleanor Mae Marthaler in Cleveland, Ohio. Part of her childhood was spent there and then in Detroit. While attending college, she worked as a window designer at Hudson’s, a popular department store at the time. She was then recruited by Saks Fifth Ave. to become one of their Sophie models. In addition, she was a runway and photographic model.

During the war effort Eleanor volunteered locally as an air raid warden.

While working at Saks she met her future husband John (who had been a test pilot). They married and eventually moved to Long Island, NY where they raised two children. During this time Eleanor taught exercise classes and designed jewelry for a local boutique.

In 1974 Eleanor and John moved to Florida’s East coast. She became more involved in exercise and water aerobics, taking college classes to become a certified instructor. She also compiled a book on the subject which she self-published.

They eventually moved to the West coast to Sun City Center, Fl. where soon after her beloved husband John passed away. Eleanor remained in SCC and participated in the Lapidary club now designing and making jewelry in earnest. Her works of bead and wire wrapping and shell jewelry were bought locally as well as in shops up North.

Eleanor moved to the Sun City Senior Living facility in 2021 where she spent her last years. She is survived by daughter Melissa Lund and husband John; son Chris Begley and wife Tracy; Grandchildren Paola, Scott, Michael (Josh who predeceased Eleanor) children of Diane; Camille daughter of Tracy; and eight grandchildren.