Eleanor (Shaheen) Diaute

Eleanor "Ellie" Diaute (Shaheen), of Worcester, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on November 26, 2024, with her loving family by her side. She was 93 years old.

Born on September 22, 1931, in Boston, Massachusetts, Ellie, who was a twin with a brother, was the youngest of seven children. She grew up in Boston, where she began working as a hairstylist. In her later years, after raising her two children, Ellie began working for a company that supplied components for the NASA space shuttle program—an experience that brought her great pride and hours of storytelling that she loved to share with family and friends.

Ellie's greatest joy in life was her family. She was a devoted mother to Stephen Diaute and his wife Nanette of Dedham, Massachusetts, and Rhonda Schwartz and her husband Russell of Worcester, Massachusetts. She was also a proud grandmother to Derek Engelking and his wife Meri of Washington DC, Jared Engelking and his wife Caitrin of Washington DC, and Kelly Barrick and her husband Tommy of Leesburg, Virginia. Ellie was overjoyed to become a great-grandmother last year to her beloved great-granddaughter, Ella Barrick. In addition to her children, grandchildren and great granddaughter, Ellie leaves numerous nieces, nephews, and many cherished friends whose lives she touched with her warmth, kindness and humor.

Ellie was predeceased by her parents and all but one of her siblings. She is survived by her brother, Sam Shaheen of West Roxbury, Massachusetts.

A private service for immediate family will precede her internment. A celebration of Ellie's life will be announced at a later date, and all friends and family will be invited to attend.

Ellie will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Her legacy of love, kindness, and devotion to family and friends will live on in the hearts of all who were fortunate to have known her.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Ellie's memory may be made to to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Tunnels to Towers Foundation
2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island NY 10306
Tel: 1-718-987-1931
Web: https://t2t.org

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105
Web: http://www.stjude.org