Eleanore Bell

Eleanore was born and raised in Newton, NJ.  Her first job was working after school and summers at the prestigious Cochran House Hotel and Restaurant while attending Newton High School and graduating in 1937.  Having a lifelong love of animals, she then worked her way through college as the Zoo Curator at the New Jersey State Teachers College at Trenton.  She excelled academically and completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education in just 3 years. 

Eleanore began her teaching career teaching all grades in a one room schoolhouse in Sussex County.  Later in 1942, Anna Scott heard there was a special teacher with creative talents and went to observe her in the classroom.  From there, Anna Scott recruited Eleanore to teach first grade in Leonia. In September 1942, Eleanore and her husband Andrew settled in Leonia where they would raise their daughter Linda. They loved Leonia and were both great volunteers.  During WWII, Eleanore was active in the Civil Defense Corps, specifically the NJ Hospital and Bandage Volunteers of Englewood.  Eleanore also enjoyed taking oil painting lessons from Charles S. Chapman, a National Artist of Leonia. 

Eleanore was an active member and Past President of The Woman's Club and Junior Woman’s Club of Leonia. She was also a Co-Founder and organizer of Leonia Play Camp which evolved into Leonia Recreation Summer Camp.  She was also an active member of the Presbyterian Church of Leonia, Church Women United, and the Leonia Advisory Committee on Aging.  In total, Eleanore taught in Anna C. Scott School for 42 years, eventually retiring to focus on her favorite job - being a grandmother (and teacher) to her three beloved grandchildren.