Eleanor M. Gowans passed away peacefully on the beautiful starry evening of April 17, 2026. Eleanor was born to Harry A and Letitia George Bartlett on April 10, 1928 in Concord, New Hampshire. Eleanor was raised in Concord and graduated from Concord High School in 1946. She met the love of her life, Robert Gowans Sr, at a dance in Concord when Rob was on leave from the Navy. She and Rob were stationed at various naval posts, and 3 of their children were born on naval bases around the country. Rob's post-naval career brought the family to Montpelier in early 1960 where they raised their 5 children. Upon arriving in Montpelier, Eleanor joined Bethany Congregational Church and remained a member until her passing. She was also a Lifetime member of the Order of Eastern Star. Eleanor joined National Life Insurance Company in the secretarial pool in 1972, and was soon recruited to the Executive Office and was employed for several years as Secretary to the Chairman of the Board. Upon her retirement from National Life in 1988, she worked at the Union Elementary School in the cafeteria for several years.

Eleanor enjoyed the cruises she took with her Mom, her forever friend Jane Porter, and Kathy. For years she enjoyed reunions with her school buddies - The Chicks of '46. She spent many summers with Susan and family at Skyland in So Hero. She attended many school functions and sporting events supporting her children, then grandchildren, then great-grandchildren. On many Friday nights she would be found at Masonic bingo, but if you asked Eleanor about her greatest achievement and joy, she would tell you her family - and a loving matriarch she was!

Eleanor was predeceased by her husband Robert, her two brothers David and Peter, brother- and sister-in-law David and Nancy Gowans, and sons-in-law John Flanagan and Peter Vollkommer.

Eleanor is survived by her 5 children - Susan Vollkommer of Somersworth, NH; Katherine Flanagan of Barre Town; Robert Gowans (Angela) of Beverly, MA; Edward Gowans (Deborah) of Berlin; and Mitchell Gowans (Chaipel) of Providence, RI.

She is also survived by 16 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

Also surviving are her sister-in-law, Martha Bartlett of Buzzards Bay, MA, several nieces and nephews and lifelong friends Nancy Dow, Punta Gorda, FL and Jan Bennett of Montpelier.

Calling hours will be at the Guare and Sons Funeral Home on May 7 from 4-6 with burial at the Blossom Hill Cemetery in Concord, NH on May 8, where she will be reunited with her husband and her parents.

The family would like to thank Central Vermont Hospital for their care of Eleanor before her passing, and a special thanks to the staff and residents (friends) at Heaton Woods Residential Care Facility where Eleanor resided for the past 5 years.

In lieu of flowers, Eleanor would appreciate memorial donations to Heaton Woods, 10 Heaton Street, Montpelier.