Eleanor “Elle” Hospodor Conti, 91, of Bethlehem, passed away on January 19th, 2023. She was the loving wife of Robert “Bob” Conti with whom she shared over 70 years of marriage. Born on March 14, 1931, in Hazleton, PA and raised in Endicott, NY, she was the daughter of the late Andrew and Verna (Yurick) Hospodor.
Elle received both her undergraduate and master’s degrees from Cornell University. While studying for her master’s Elle worked as a teaching assistant and completed her wedding gown as her final project. She was a talented clothing designer and seamstress, a life-long love she passed on to her daughters. Elle and Bob raised their four children in Easton, PA where Elle was very involved in her community. She was a Girl Scout leader, a softball coach, avid synchronized swimmer and coach, an active member of AAUW (American Association of University Women), and a Eucharistic Minister for St. Jane Frances de Chantal Church.
Elle’s professional life included work with the Homemaker Home Health Aide Services, and as Executive Director for the Visiting Nurse Association in Bethlehem. Elle was the Director of Community Relations at Easton Hospital for many years until she retired. Volunteer work centered on Elle’s love of the arts, most notably as a docent first at the Rhode Island School of Design Museum and later at the Allentown Art Museum.
Elle had a tremendous love for travel with her husband and family. Their trips took them all over the world from England to Egypt, China to The Czech Republic, and Mexico to Malta. Elle also loved traveling in the United States and organized full family trips to both Yellowstone and Yosemite National Parks. Some of Elle’s favorite vacations were spent closer to home on Long Beach Island, NJ over the span of 30 years watching the family grow to thirty people spanning four generations.
Elle will be lovingly remembered by her husband Bob; children, Richard Conti and fiancée Shawn Klein of Orinda, CA, Amy Davies and husband Mark of Scotch Plains, NJ, Ellen Bullion and husband Jim of Hanover, NH, and Julie Langenbacher and husband Paul of Ithaca, NY; brother, Robert Hospodor and wife Juliana of Easton, MD; 12 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by brothers Andrew and David Hospodor.
The family will receive friends and relatives on Wednesday, January 25, 2023 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Cantelmi-Long Funeral Home, 500 Linden Street, Bethlehem, PA, and on Thursday, January 26, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at St. Anne Church, 450 E Washington Ave, Bethlehem, PA, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM. Burial will be private at Washington Crossing National Cemetery, Newtown PA. A memory tribute may be placed at www.cantelmifuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Elle’s memory to the Allentown Art Museum, 31 N 5th St, Allentown, PA 18101, https://www.allentownartmuseum.org/support/
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