Eleanore Marie Jolly

JOLLY, ELEANOR M. Age 92 years, passed away peacefully at her home on Wednesday, February 27, 2008. Eleanor was born in Calumet MI on Oct. 3, 1915 to Julia (nee Reidel) and Matthew Chopp. Her father died during the great influenza epidemic of 1918. Her mother remarried and her family moved to West Allis where her sister Margie was born. Eleanor graduated from West Allis High School in 1933. On her 21st birthday she married Alfred R. Jolly. Eleanore and Alfred moved to Greendale in 1939 where they raised two sons, Warner and Gary. In 1949, while her husband was a pressman at the Milwaukee Journal, Eleanor began her long and proud life as a Shetland Sheepdog lover, owner and breeder and founded Thistlerose Kennels which she operated for 50 years. A true pioneer business woman, her passion and enthusiasm eventually led her to become one the country’s most successful and respected sheltie breeders with over 50 champions to her credit. Eleanor managed to grab all life had to offer and her feisty spirit will be deeply missed. Eleanor is survived by and will be missed by her grandchildren, Suzanne (Bret) Jenkin, Deborah O’Hara, Jeffrey Jolly, Chris (Diana) Jolly, Stacy (Paul) Kania, Yvonne (Dan) Hanson, and Dana (Dave) Jolly. She is also survived and will be missed by 9 great grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild and a host of friends and relatives. Mrs. Jolly was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, both of her sons, her grandson Lance, her sister Margueritte, grandson-in-law Robert O’Hara Jr., and daughter in law, Cynthia “Sis” Hamann. Funeral Mass Saturday, 11 AM at ST. ALPHONSUS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 6060 W. Loomis Rd. Interment Holy Apostles Cemetery. Visitation Saturday 10 AM to 11 AM at the Church. In lieu of flowers memorials appreciated.