Eleanor Sella Bodrato, 89, of Closter, passed away at home on Monday, December 11, 2017. The only child of Edward and Ella Sella, Eleanor was born at home in West New York, NJ on June 10, 1928. She attended school there until her family moved to Cliffside Park, NJ where Eleanor graduated HS class of 1946. From there it was off to work at B. Altmans NYC as a secretary and runway model.
Marrying the love of her life Russell Bodrato in 1948, they eventually settled in Closter, NJ raising their 3 children, Gary, Edward and Chanté.
Still while raising their kids Eleanor pursued her career in Fine and Commercial Art. Widely known for her oil paintings and sculpturing, Eleanor’s work can be found in 7 countries, 13 states, on the cover of Law and Order Magazine and in collections of the Georgia Pacific Co.
Eleanor and Russell traveled the US regularly seeing friends and family or just getting away to their place on Singer Island, FL to enjoy the sun. With Russell passing, her daughter Chante became her Girl Friday and primary care giver towards the end.
Eleanor leaves her 3 children and 2 daughters in law, 5 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren, first cousins and many friends to remember her.
A Funeral Service will be held Thursday 10 AM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale (201-767-3050) with interment to follow at Rockland Cemetery, Sparkill, NY. Visiting hours are Wednesday 5-8 PM.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Closter Volunteer Ambulance Corps, 72 Ruckman Rd, Closter, NJ 07624 would be greatly appreciated.
www.pizzifuneralhome.com
We go back a long way to #6 school on Oakdene Avenue in Cliffside Park. GRADUATED cphs 1946 but never really kept up after that except for arranging a display of her artwork at the local Closter bank. A great student. A great woman.