Eleanor Browne Stengel

Eleanor (Ellie) Browne Stengel, age 89, a long time Concord resident of 61 years, passed away Tuesday, December 5, 2017. Her passing took place at the Gardens of Newbury Court in Concord, where she was well-cared for until the end.

Born in Cambridge, MA on December 6, 1927, she was the daughter of the late Arthur and Marjorie (Chalmers) Browne of Belmont, MA. Raised and educated in Belmont, Ellie graduated from Belmont High School in 1945 and later graduated from Bradford Junior College in 1947.

Upon graduation from Bradford, Ellie worked in the College Admissions Office at Harvard University from 1948 to 1954. She was married for 56 years to the late Robert H. Stengel, also of Belmont, in 1951. With a second child expected, the new family moved from Cambridge to 31 MacArthur Road in Concord in 1956. Shortly after the family's move to Concord, Ellie became a member of the Trinitarian Congregational Church, where she eventually became involved in all aspects of church life, including service on both the Diaconate and Membership Committees. She also worked as a member of the church staff in the front office from 1984 to 1999. Her work at the church allowed her the opportunity to fully impart her gifts of caring, grace and an unflappable style of being able to handle the most unusual requests. Whether congregation members or other staff, she had a positive presence about her that seemed to leave a lasting impression on the people she served. She combined warmth and wit in a style that was uniquely her own.

Ellie adored her 3 children, and 3 grandchildren, and loved being a resident of Concord. She also adored her late sister, Carolyn (Browne) Bolles, of Maine with whom she shared a daily communication until Carolyn's passing in 2009. Her kind and gentle disposition led to many lifelong friendships, and those friendships were equally cherished. The happiest times for Ellie were the moments spent with her family and friends.

She is survived by her children: Brad Stengel of Stoughton, Martha Ryan of Concord and Rob Stengel of San Francisco, California. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Christopher and Kendall Ryan of Concord, MA, and was predeceased by her grandson, Tyler Ryan, in 2010.

A memorial service is scheduled for Thursday, January 11, 2018, at 2 p.m., at the Duvall Chapel at Newbury Court, 80 Deaconess Road in Concord.

Gifts in her name may be made to:
The Gardens at Newbury Court
80 Deaconess Road
Concord, MA 01742
or
Trinitarian Congregational Church
54 Walden Street
Concord, MA 01742.