Former BEA stewardess dies at 72

Eleanor Theresa Wilson (born Gibson) was born in Edinburgh on 21 July 1941.

When she was six years old her mother remarried and she took her stepfather’s name, Miller. She leaves two brothers, Barclay and Colin and a husband David.

Known to friends as Ellie, or simply El, she left school at 18 to work for Scottish Widows, but at 21 fulfilled an ambition by becoming become an Air Stewardess with British European Airways. Those were the days when the passengers dressed up and the crew wore little white gloves.

Ellie trained together with pal Linda and, in their early twenties, they used their travel concessions to visit Copacabana Beach, Nepal and Jordan. Five of the flying girls still lunched together three times a year, and once a year they had a European city break.

1971 Eleanor married Anthony Makin, a business man. They had no children and Anthony died

of cancer on 25 February 2002.

After 18 years in the air, Ellie left British Airways and joined Personal Service Travel (PST), where she was Branch Manager at the Broadway in Haywards Heath for 11 years.

From 1994 to 1997 Ellie worked for Experience Holidays where she

arranged tailor-made itineraries to Australia, New Zealand, USA and Canada. Ellie then returned to her old company, becoming Business Travel Manager for PST Corporate Travel, based at Heathfield. She was renowned for her professionalism and for her dedication to her customers, many of whom remained personal friends after her retirement.

Five years after being widowed Ellie met David Wilson through the ‘Encounters’ internet dating site. She and David, also widowed, soon struck up a friendship and closer relationship and they married in May 2010 at the Ravenswood Country Hotel, Sharpthorne, living at David’s home in Horsted Keynes.

Eleanor retired at 68 and in their four years together

they visited France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Turkey, Morocco, New York, Canada and South America.

Eleanor was noted for her kind heart and for the warmth of her

character. She joined wholeheartedly in David’s Rotary Club and other activities.

Eleanor passed away suddenly on October 16. The

cremation took place on October 24, followed by a Celebration of Life at St Giles Church, Horsted Keynes, and a reception at The Crown Inn. Mr Wilson said: “That the church was packed was a tribute to the high regard in which she was held by

me, brothers, family, friends and acquaintances.

“I would like to thank everyone who came to the funeral, sent flowers, donations to St Peter and St James Hospice, cards and letters. Also to those who helped me during those difficult days.”

Contributed by David Wilson