PANKEY, Eleanor

Eleanor Lester Pankey, 93, a longtime resident of Mesa, AZ, artist and homemaker, died Friday January 20, 2006, at the age of 93 in Mesa. Born in Johnson City, NY, she attended school in Binghamton, NY. In 1934 she married Charles Kendall Pankey after which the couple moved to St. Joseph, MI where Charles worked for the Whirlpool Corporation. In 1967 the couple retired to Arizona where they had a home at Apache Wells in Mesa. She enjoyed a lifelong passion for art and found beauty in nature and people. She was a charter member and officer of the Berrien County Art Guild in St. Joseph and was a member of the Arizona Artists Guild. Eleanor won numerous awards for her watercolors and seldom traveled without her sketch pad in hand. In addition, she was an avid golfer and belonged to the Apache Wells Golf Club until moving to Springdale Village. Charles, her husband of almost 42 years, died in 1975. Surviving are her daughter Joanne (Arthur) Sexton, Mesa, son Stephen (Joan) Pankey, Cockeysville, MD, a brother, John (Shirley) Lester, Mesa, and sisters Carolyn Lester of Mesa, and Nancy (Rollin) Richardson of Bella Vista, AR. Also surviving are grandchildren Chris (Rory) Reisig-Ward of Williamston, MI, Deborah (Mark) Engstrom of Haslett, MI, Charles (Gerry) Reisig of Tucson, AZ, and Elizabeth Pankey, of Cockeysville, MD. She is also survived by 4 great grand children, Daniel (Laura) Viaches and Matthew Viaches of Indianapolis, IN, Kristi Viaches of Haslett and Dalton Reisig Tucson, AZ and 14 Nieces and Nephews. A memorial service was held at the Red Mountain United Methodist Church 2936 North Power Road Mesa, AZ. Donations may be made to the Red Mountain United Methodist Church, Mesa, AZ where Eleanor was a member or to the Arizona Artist Guild Scholarship Fund C/o Heather Green 623 E. Indian School Phoenix, AZ 85012 Published in The Arizona Republic on 1/25/2006.