SANFORD – Eleanor was born in Biddeford, on Sept. 12, 1932, the daughter of William P. and Edith Clough Thomas. Eleanor graduated from Aroostook Central Institute in Mars Hill and attended the University of Maine in Orono where she earned her B.A. in English. She married Dallas Reed Knight, also a UMaine graduate, and moved to Beverly, Massachusetts, where she and her husband raised four children.

Eleanor substitute taught in the Beverly school system and helped establish a preschool at Immanuel Church where she was director for five years. In 1973 she took a job at FM Global in Norwood as a research librarian, moving up to Manager of Research Technical Publications until her retirement.

Eleanor and Dallas later moved to Sanford, to help her parents, where she continued to teach by volunteering at the Literacy Volunteers of Greater Sanford. Travel was a large part of retirement for the couple; they completed their goal of visiting all 50 states, many Canadian provinces, several European countries and Caribbean islands. She spent much of her time on her interests, playing bridge, golfing, reading, square dancing, as well as enjoying her grandchildren’s activities. She was an active member of the Goodwins Mills United Methodist Church.

Eleanor was predeceased by Dallas, her husband of 63 years. She is survived by her children, Susan Gavett and her husband, Steve of Cumberland Foreside; Dallas Jr., and his wife, Mary of Plainville, Massachusetts; Patricia Birch of Beverly, Massachusetts; and Thomas and his wife Suzanne of Gorham. She had four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. The family would like to thank the caring people at Bay Square who made her feel safe and loved in her time residing with them. Private services will be held by the family.

To share a memory or leave a message of condolence, please visit Eleanor’s Book of Memories Page at http://www.bibbersautumngreen.com.

Arrangements are in care of Bibber Memorial at Autumn Green, 47 Oak St, Alfred, ME 04002.