Eleanor Leigh Lamer<br/>October 29, 1918 - April 8, 2015

Eleanor Leigh Hartwell Lamer, long time resident of Burbank, passed peacefully at home on April 8 at the age of 96. She was a 13th generation descendant of Concord, Massachusetts settler, William Hartwell (1636). The historic Hartwell Tavern still exists. Born in 1918, Eleanor was the only child of parents Edith and Lee Hartwell of Michigan. The family moved to California in 1926 and then to Burbank in 1931 where talented Eleanor created her own clothes by knitting and sewing them.

While attending Burbank High School, she met the love of her life, Richard Charles Lamer. Their 1941 wedding was held at Saint Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church on the exact site where Richard’s grandparents had donated land to the Burbank church in 1909. In 1923 the longest street in Burbank was named LAMER (actually pronounced La-Mare). The couple worked tirelessly together in real estate development, property management and ran PAPCO Mechanical, a plumbing business. They had two children, Roger Charles (1949) and Karen (Kira) (1951).

Eleanor was an avid reader and especially loved Danielle Steel novels. Her beloved cat Annie was always at her side, except when Eleanor traveled to most of Western Europe, collecting hand carved sculptures and other treasures. She adored dining out, especially at Tallyrand, Smokehouse and Granada Restaurants. For fun, Eleanor taught her kids pig-Latin. She contributed heavily to her church and also the Burbank Police Department. She and her friends started a Birthday Club and would meet often throughout the years. Always cheerful, patient, non-judgmental and content with her lot in life, Eleanor was a loving example of a life well lived!

Eleanor is predeceased by beloved husband, Richard (1986) and her cat, Annie. She is survived by her son, Roger Lamer of Burbank and daughter, Kira Lamer, of Oak View, Ca.

A celebration of her life is slated for Thursday, April 16 at Mission San Fernando Rey de España in Mission Hills starting with a viewing at 10:30-11; Funeral Mass 11-12:00; and Burial 12-12:45pm. Valley Funeral Home of Burbank is the contact, 818 845 3766. Please consider making a donation to your favorite charity or the Braille Institute in Eleanor’s memory.