Eleanor Emery Stacy

Eleanor Emery Shaw Stacy of Breakwater Drive, a devoted nurse for 20 years, died Feb. 15, 2000, at the New England Rehabilitation Hospital in Portland. She was 81.

She was born in Portland, a daughter of Frank and Hazel Shaw. She graduated from Porter High School at age 16, and completed her nursing training at Dr. Adam Leighton's Hospital in Portland.

A nurse at Osteopathic Hospital of Maine, Mrs. Stacy was known for her selflessness and devotion to her patients. According to her family, if there were patients who still needed her, a doctor who wanted help, or a ward that needed a nurse, she didn't care if her shift was over -- she stayed.

Mrs. Stacy often worked in the pediatrics ward taking care of ill and injured children. According to her family, she loved working with the children and always had a few patients who were special to her. "She had her heart strings pulled more than once," her son-in-law, Dick Roy said.

After 20 years at the hospital, she retired because of her son's illness and her own health problems. Although she retired officially, she couldn't help but go back to the hospital that had become like a second family to her, and she began volunteering there as a day-surgery receptionist. She didn't have the close relationship with the patients that she once had, but as a volunteer "it was comforting to her knowing she could help," her son-in-law said.

Outside of the hospital, Mrs. Stacy was the same humble, caring person. She enjoyed spending time with others, especially with her family, and was always interested in hearing what others had to say. "She would want to listen more than speak," said Dick Roy.

Mrs. Stacy was an avid reader her entire life and could "devour a book in a day or two," her daughter, Barbara Stacy, said.

Mrs. Stacy was a member of Thornton Heights United Methodist Church.

She was a member of the Golden Club and was a past member of the Sunset Park Women's Club.