|
NASHUA - Elinor W. Hooker, 78, of Nashua, passed Friday morning, January 27, 2012 after a very long illness at her home in Nashua, with her husband, Thomas at her side.
She was born July 10, 1933 in Pittsburgh, daughter of the late Dr. Ulysses Williams and Louise G. Williams. She was the wife of Thomas L. Hooker, who served from 1966 to 1974 as Director of the New Hampshire Division of Welfare.
Mrs. Hooker was a 1954 graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio where she majored in French and English. Upon her graduation she taught English in Junior and Senior High Schools in Pittsburgh and Harrisburg, Pa., Brockton and Quincy, Mass. and Concord, prior to returning to Pennsylvania in 1974. Upon returning to New Hampshire in 1979 she exchanged her love of teaching for a new career as office manager for Alibrandi's Specialty Apparel of Nashua, a provider of formal dress wear to organizations in several states. She worked for the company for more than nine years before retiring, when the owner retired and closed the business.
Mrs. Hooker was an active volunteer with several community groups including the Nashua Mayor Multicultural Committee, scholarship chairperson and assistant treasurer for the New Hampshire Outreach for Black Unity and served as a tutor in the English as a Second Language Program at Nashua's Pennichuck Junior High.
Mrs. Hooker is survived by her husband of 50 years of Nashua; one son Brian of Los Angeles; several nieces and nephews residing in Pennsylvania, New York, Virginia, Connecticut Georgia and California.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Ulysses W. Williams Jr., Dr. Leon R. Williams, and a sister Ruth F. Saunders.
.gif)
|
Frank M. Falcetta
Elinor Hooker was a remarkable woman and educator. She was a true pioneer who accepted a difficult assignment at NQHS during a very transitional period in our nation's history.
I deeply regret the subtle and sometimes overt racism that she faced from some students at NQHS.I too was initially guilty of these activities. Despite my attitude and that of some of my classmates she was always supportive of her students. She was a gifted educator who had the capacity to help shape and chage my attitude about the struggles that African Americans faced in the 1960s. I will always remember a suggestion that she provided me when I had to select a nonfiction book for a writing assignment. She suggested a book detailing the Montgomery, Alabama bus boycott that was prompted by Rosa Parks refusing to give up her seat on a public bus. This action led to the subsequent mobilization of citizens against segregation led by Dr King. The book along with the assistance and support I received from Ms Hooker changed my attitude and made me a better more caring individual for that I will always be grateful.
Marie E. Hedin (Pereto-Hedin)
What a beautiful and honest tribute! I didn't have Ms. Hooker as a teacher and didn't really know her. But I feel I now have a glimpse of her grace and courage.