Eleanore Mae Dikowski

Eleanore Mae Dikowski, age 97, died on April 7, 2009, at Mesilla Valley Hospice, Las Cruces, NM, of cancer, which she battled courageously and optimistically since September 2007. Eleanore Mae was born on November 14, 1911, in Pontiac, Michigan, to Roy William and Ida Mae Johnson. She was the second of 3 children and the only girl in the family. She married Ernest Anderson in Detroit in 1932. Eleanore was a "working mother" long before American society caught up with her and working moms became the norm. All the while, she pursued her life- long interest in needlework and sewing and mastered many forms, including cross-stitch, crochet, knitting, quilting, and dressmaking. In 1969, after her husband retired, the couple moved to Las Cruces from Allen Park, Michigan, in order to be nearer her daughter and grandchildren, but shortly after that move, she was widowed. She later married Andy De Rose, from whom she was subsequently divorced. She then married Al Dikowski and was again widowed in 1997. Eleanore was a very "social" person and an avid volunteer. She was a Red Cross volunteer for 70 years (1939-2009), working for 22 years (since 1987) at the Dona Ana County Health Department. She was always active in her church, focusing primarily on youth programs (as well as choir), and she participated extensively in scouting programs when her children were involved, in Las Cruces, she belonged to the Pan American Round Table, the First Presbyterian Church, the Christian Day Nursery Thrift Shop, Eastern Star, Dona Ana Peppers and she was President of The Mesilla Valley Garden Club and the Women's Improvement Association. She was a dedicated poll worker for many years and in her later years, became an enthusiastic Aggie sports fan. She is well known in this community for her childcare skills, having performed that service for many locally prominent families. She was an ardent card player. She is survived by her son, Ernest Anderson (wife, Ruth) and her son-in-law John Phillips, all of Las Cruces. Her three grandchildren are Robert (wife, Ruth) of Glendale, AZ, Janice (husband, Keith Piatt) of Scottsdale, AZ, and Jeanne (husband, Alan Campbell) of Mission Viejo, CA. Her 8 great-grandchildren are Ton, Scottie, and Robbie Phillips; Michael, Jennifer and Kara Piatt; and Katelyn and Sara Campbell. She was pre-deceased by one day by her beloved daughter, Barbara Phillips of Las Cruces. The family requests no flowers but suggests that an appropriate memorial gesture would be a donation to a charity of your choice. Eleanore has been cremated at her request will be interred in Evergreen Cemetery, Detroit, Michigan, in a crypt with her first husband and her parents. PDF Printable Version