Keohane Funeral Home

HINGHAM, Mass. — Eleanor M. Ippolito, age 101, of Linden Ponds Way, Hingham, Mass, beloved mother and aunt, passed away peacefully on January 31, 2023 at the South Shore Hospital in Weymouth, Mass.

She was the wife of the late Dante F. Ippolito and mother of the late John C. Ippolito.

Born on August 6, 1921 to Antoinette (DiSalvo) LaSpina and Salvatore LaSpina, Mrs. Ippolito grew up in Lawrence, Mass. where her parents operated a small variety store.

She is survived by three of her four children: Jane Aitken (widow of Douglas F. of Quincy) of Bedford, N.H., Daniel Ippolito of Newburyport Mass, Ellen Nesbitt (wife of William Nesbitt) of Costa Rica, and several nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

The youngest of five children she was pre-deceased by her sisters America LaSpina, Mary Bertolami, Lena Calderone, and Rose DiPaolo. 

After marrying, she and her husband settled in Lawrence, and then moved to North Andover in 1957 where the children grew up. In later years, the family lived in Kennebunk, Maine, Salem, N.H., Norwell, Mass., and finally Linden Ponds Retirement Community in Hingham where she and her husband made many friends.

She was a graduate of Lawrence High School and had worked in the accounting and sales departments at Cherry and Webb, Little Town Toggery, and Doykos Furs in Lawrence, Mass. Previous to settling in Lawrence she traveled with her husband when he was in the military band and when he worked as a studio musician with the Al Donahue Band in Hollywood, CA. While in Hollywood she worked the counter at the famous Schwab’s Pharmacy, a drugstore located at 8024 Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, California, which was a popular hangout for movie actors and movie industry dealmakers from the 1930s through the 1950s. She had many interesting stories to tell.

In her 80s, she mastered the use of a computer and enjoyed emailing family and friends and doing crossword puzzles.

She was an unselfish and devoted wife and mother who took care of her handicapped son until she was 91. She was noted for her wonderful cooking skills. She will be missed by all those who loved and admired her.