Eleanor Baraniak, 83: Devoted wife, mother, grandmother, teacher; loved literature and her students

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Eleanor Baraniak
Eleanor Baraniak

MANCHESTER, NHEleanor L. Baraniak, 83, died October 13, 2014 at her home with her loving husband, John, and her children by her side.
Born in Manchester on February 16, 1931, she was the daughter of Stephen H. and Dorothy M. (Murphy) Cunningham. She was a lifelong resident of Manchester and a summer resident of Rye.

Eleanor grew up in Goffs Falls and was a graduate of St. Joseph High School for Girls, Class of 1948. She earned a bachelor of arts degree in English from Mt. St. Mary College in Hooksett. She then returned to St. Joseph High School for Girls to teach English.

Eleanor married John R. Baraniak on June 26, 1954. The couple recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. When their four children were attending school, she resumed her career in education, teaching for many years at Manchester Central High School. There she served as a class advisor and guided many on to college careers. She will be remembered for her love of literature, her dedication to her students, her polished writing, her kindness and her grace.

Quietly devoted to her faith, Eleanor was a member and communicant of St. Catherine of Siena Parish.

In addition to her husband, family members include four children, Kristin A. O’Brien and her husband, George, of Manchester; Karen A. DiMartino and her husband, Richard; and Kyle A. Nanna and her husband, Wayne, all of Westwood, Mass.; and John R. Baraniak Jr. of Boston, Mass.; nine grandchildren, with whom she generously shared time, affection and wisdom: Tyler O’Brien and his wife, Kara, of Boston; Christopher R. O’Brien of Hanover; Jessica (DiMartino) Stanley and her husband, Zachary, of Boston; Andrew DiMartino of Watertown, Mass.; Erin E. Nanna of Boston; Marine Lance Corporal Dylan M. Nanna, of Camp Pendleton, Calif.; Patrick R. and Casey S. Nanna of Westwood; and Gabriel R. Puglisi of Boston; two sisters-in-law, Helen P. Baraniak and Frances B. Baraniak, both of Manchester; several cousins and close neighbors and friends.

Eleanor was predeceased by a brother, David E. Cunningham.

SERVICES: Calling hours are Oct. 16, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory, 1799 Elm St., corner of North Street, Manchester. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Cathedral Chapel, Lowell Street, Manchester. Committal prayers will follow at Mt. Calvary Mausoleum, 474 Goffstown Rd., Manchester.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at or by calling 1-800-805-5856; or to New Hampshire Catholic Charities, 215 Myrtle St., Manchester, NH 03104-4354, and at 1-800-562-5249.

About this Author

Carol Robidoux

PublisherManchester Ink Link

Longtime NH journalist and publisher of ManchesterInkLink.com. Loves R&B, German beer, and the Queen City!