Obituary: Elinor E. Starr, Louisville

Elinor E. Starr, of Louisville, died Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2013, at Nazareth Home in Louisville.

ELINOR E. STARR

Born in Cortland, N.Y., she received her bachelor’s degree from St. Joseph College in Emmitsburg, Md. After completing her master’s degree in journalism at Ohio University in Akron, she moved to New York City and was employed by the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. In 1959 she followed her sister, Margot, to Louisville, when she took the position of Director of Public Relations at Nazareth College, now Spalding University. While at the university, she also taught journalism and served as Dean of Students, before being named Director of Student Financial Aid, a role she held for more than 25 years. She was very committed to helping students qualify for the aid they needed to complete their programs of study. Those who worked with her greatly admired her commitment to Spalding and its students.

This devotion to students and her outstanding work as a financial aid professional brought her recognition on the local, state, and national levels, with an annual award named in her honor by the Kentucky Association of Student Financial Aid Officers. She retired from Spalding in 1996.

A woman of strong faith, she was an active member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, where she chaired the Administrative Committee for more than 10 years.

Among her great joys were the arts. She was a devoted supporter of the Louisville Ballet, the Louisville Orchestra, and the Chamber Music Society. With her mother and sister Mary, she traveled widely in the U.S. and in Europe.

She was preceded by her parents, Leon and Dorothy Collins Starr; and two sisters, Margot Starr and Mary Augustine.

She is survived by Donna Schmidt, her health surrogate, and by cousins and friends. Her friends wish to extend their sincere thanks to all those who cared for Elinor at Nazareth Home.

The funeral was Friday, Sept. 13, 2013, at Nazareth Home, 2000 Newburg Road in Louisville. The burial will be in Cortland, N.Y. at a later date.

Memorial gifts may be made to Spalding University Scholarship Funds, 845 S. Third St., Louisville, KY 40203; St. Francis of Assisi Church, 1960 Bardstown Road, Louisville 40205; or to the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, Nazareth, Ky., 40048.

Ratterman and Sons, Bardstown Road, is in charge of arrangements.

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