Elizabeth Eleanor Bush
July 1, 1913 ~ January 8, 2017
Elizabeth Eleanor Mockler Bush, 103 years old of Philippi, WV departed this life on Sunday January 8, 2017 at the Madison Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Morgantown. She was born July 1, 1913 in Mannington, WV, daughter of Robert Emmett Mockler and Alberta Caroline Baumgartner Mockler. She will join her husband Dr. A. Kyle Bush, who preceded her in death. Those left to cherish her memory are her son, Dr. Robert K. Bush (and Betty) of Madison, Wisconsin and her daughter, Caroline Esposito (and Pat) of Morgantown; five grandchildren, Patrick Esposito, Beth Bush Doby, Cara Marie Esposito Kendzerski, Catherine Bush Gainey, and Sarah Bush Short; eleven great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild and a host of other relatives and many friends.
In addition she was preceded in death by two brothers, William E. Mockler and Robert P. Mockler.
She attended West Virginia Wesleyan College and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Zoology from West Virginia University and then a Master’s Degree in Botany from The Ohio State University. She lived most of her adult life in Philippi, WV where she was an active member of the Philippi Crim Memorial United Methodist Church. She was an advocate for the WV Nature Conservancy. She was a member of the Brooks Bird Club, Barbour County Country Club where she was an avid golfer, Chapter C PEO, Daughters of the American Revolution, Order of the Eastern Star, Pi Beta Phi Sorority, Arkateean Club, and the American Association of University Women. She published an extensive book on the wildflowers of Barbour County and had been recognized as a West Virginia writer with numerous published poems.
The family wishes to thank all of the many excellent caregivers she had in Morgantown. She received outstanding care and an outpouring of love from the tremendous staff at The Madison during the past few years.
Friends will be received at Crim Memorial United Methodist Church 220 Pike St. Philippi on Thursday January 12, 2017 from 12:30-1:30pm. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 pm with Pastor Sam Haught officiating. Interment will follow in the Mt. Vernon Memorial Cemetery in Philippi, WV. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Crim Memorial United Methodist Church, 200 Pike Street, Philippi, WV 26416 or the WV Nature Conservancy, PO Box 1432 McMurray, PA 15317
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Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Mrs. Bush was a very sweet and gracious lady.
May your wonderful memories give you comfort.
Jim & Rose (Esposito) Rupe
What a lovely Lady! Lisa Loyd and I often made house calls for her dog, Bo. She was full of life and knowledge. We will miss you. Eleanor!
Carolyn and Bobby, sorry to hear of your Mother's passing. Our prayers are with you both and your families. RIP, Mrs Bush.
I will always remember Eleanor fondly as a part of my West Virginia roots. Her family helped raise me! She was a very special lady.
Dear Caroline, Pat, Patrick and Cara … I am very sorry for your loss, but truly believe that this wonderful woman, of whom you were blessed to be able to call Mom and Grandma, is in a better place and free of the shackles and pain often associated with living such a long and full life. I do hope that you take time to grieve as everyone around you try to remember happier times. It's not easy to lose Mom and Grandma; especially if she is a central focal point of a busy family. Peace, my friends. Know that I keep you all in my prayers. Love, John
Mrs. Bush was the mother of my best friend while growing up and who is still a cherished friend to this day (Dr. Robert K. Bush). I was often at their house while growing up and a number of times as an adult. She was always caring and interested in my life and my family. I have always thought of her as a “second mother” and have many wonderful memories of her, especially her caring for and about me, always treating me well and encouraging me. It was also interesting that my family did not make many desserts or cookies, so I also thoroughly enjoyed the fact that her cookie jar was always filled and available for little hands to reach in and help themselves (just one way she was a very gracious person). I am also thankful that she raised her children (Robert and Caroline) to be very good people and friends who continue to this day. I believe that any and all who knew her would agree that they were blessed by this very special lady! She continues to be a part of who I am because of her positive influence when I was growing up and her love for me that never wavered, even as an adult who only visited from time to time once I was no longer living in Philippi. I look forward to seeing her again when the Good Lord calls me home – hopefully not for some years yet.
So sorry to learn of this news.
A very dear lady and wife of a wonderful doctor who meant a lot to my family.