Obituary of Eleanor M. Tavalsky

Eleanor M. "Elly" Galusha Tavalsky, 91, of Jamestown, passed away Saturday April 15, 2023, in Heritage Park Rehab and Skilled Nursing. She was born October 2, 1931, in Clifton Springs, NY, a daughter of the late George Galusha and Irene Coston Galusha Mattoon. Eleanor was a 1949 graduate of Phelps Central School where she was active in band and chorus. She was very proud of being selected to All State High School Band as a bassoonist, performing at Eastman School of Music. In addition, she loved in sing in choir at the First Presbyterian Church, Phelps, NY, and with the church youth fellowship group singing at nursing homes and veteran's hospitals. Following high school, she attended college at SUNY Brockport, graduating with a BS degree in Education. While at Brockport she played in the band and orchestra and sang in the mixed chorus. In 1953 she came to Jamestown where she taught 1st grade at Charles Street School for one year and then moved to the new Persell School until she retired in 1962. She was a member of Optimisses, YWCA Teen Council, Home Bureau, Fletcher School PTA, den mother for Cub Scouts and worked on many charitable drives. She was a longtime bowler, loved flowers and working in her yard. An avid fan of the Buffalo Bills and Sabres and New York Knicks and Yankees Surviving is a son James Tavalsky of Columbus, OH and a brother Richard Mattoon of Phelps, NY. Besides her parents she was preceded in death by a stepfather Horace "Bud" Mattoon; her husband Edward Tavalsky, whom she married June 30, 1956, and who died June 28, 2013, and a large extended family. A private service will be held at the convenience of the family. Burial will be in Sunset Hill Cemetery. Visitation will not be observed. Memorials may be made to Alzheimer's Association or Chautauqua County Humane Society, 2825 Strunk Road, Jamestown, NY 14701. You may leave words of condolence at www.lindfuneralhome.com.