Eleanor Ingle Bagley, 100, Worked with Girl Scouts

Eleanor Ingle Bagley, a longtime summer resident of Ocean Park in Oak Bluffs, died peacefully with her two daughters by her side on May 14. She had just celebrated her 100th birthday three weeks earlier with her family and friends at Wake Robin in Shelburne, Vt.

Eleanor was born on April 20, 1906, in Hartford, Conn. She was the daughter of William and Eleanor Greenleaf Ingle. She was graduated from Hartford High School, attended the Pratt Institute of Art and spent one summer at the Fountainbleau in Paris, France, where she received additional training to prepare her for her teaching art at Hartford High School.

Her marriage to Clifton Bagley in 1937 brought her to the Vineyard for the first time. She was welcomed into the family home by Clifton's aunt, Emma B. Sayles, who owned the house on Ocean Park. Upon Mrs. Sayles's death, Clifton and Eleanor inherited the home. Their love of the Island spanned more than 70 years. Eleanor was even able to visit the Vineyard last August at the age of 99.

During the 50 years that she and her husband lived in Scarsdale, N.Y., Eleanor became very involved in the Girl Scouts. After being a troop leader for many years, she took over the outdoor camping program and developed several scout camps. Her training in the field of art led her to dabble in weaving, pottery, painting and silver jewelry making. Many of her jewelry pieces were given to friends and family. In 1993 she moved to Wake Robin, where she enjoyed the last 13 years of her life.

Eleanor was well known for her friendly, outgoing personality and her great enthusiasm for life. She had a wonderful, positive attitude and enjoyed each day. Her wide range of interest and experiences contributed to her respect and acceptance of others. She could always see the good in every person or situation and was comfortable and interested in people of all ages and walks of life.

Eleanor's summers on the Vineyard were filled with family and friends. She enjoyed beach picnics, band concerts, community sings, art shows, up-Island auctions and picking blueberries, wild grapes and beach plums. She was especially known for her clam chowder and watermelon pickle. She was involved in the Martha's Vineyard Garden Club and enjoyed creating an arrangement for the annual flower show. She also enjoyed playing bridge every week with friends. The large dining room table held many multi-generational, lively discussions and lots of laughter. Her ever-present welcoming love will be greatly missed.

Eleanor is survived by her two daughters, Midge Marshall of Ridgefield, Conn., and Emmy Smith and her husband, Jim, of Colchester, Vt. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Jenn Schaller, Debby Trautner, Jessica Smith and Jamie Smith, and three great-grandchildren, Jake, Abby and Owen Trautner. She was predeceased by her husband, Clifton, in 1982, and her sister, Marge, and her husband, Howard Brooks, in 1997.

A memorial service for Eleanor will be held Sunday, August 13, at 3 p.m. at Union Chapel in Oak Bluffs. She will be interred at a later date with her husband in Vineyard Haven.

Donations in her memory may be made to the Martha's Vineyard Preservation Trust, P.O. Box 5277, Edgartown 02539 or the Martha's Vineyard Hospital Building Fund, P.O. Box 1477, Oak Bluffs 02557.