Elinor Mary DeBettencourt Podesta, 77, of Sheffield, died Saturday, Nov. 24 at her daughter’s home.

Elinor was born in Oak Bluffs on March 29, 1930. She was the daughter of Alfred and Mary King DeBettencourt. She graduated from the Oak Bluffs high school and went on to higher education by attending and graduating from Boston University.

Always enamored by literature and language, Elinor graduated from BU in 1951 with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education. She took her first job teaching English to high school students in Mill River.

It was there that she met her future husband, John Podesta, who had returned to Mill River after World War II to attend the College of the Holy Cross and St. Louis University.

John and Elinor were married on August 1, 1953, in Oak Bluffs, and the new couple moved to Rouses Point, N.Y. where John was employed by Ayerst Laboratories. Elinor continued to teach English at Rouses Point High School until she and John started a family where they lived for 30 years.

Never forgetting her roots, the family returned to the Vineyard for summer vacations until the death of her parents. In 1976, they purchased a home in Sheffield for the purpose of retirement. In 1983, the family relocated to Mahopac, N.Y., allowing John to pursue his career. After John’s unforeseen death in 1987, Elinor fulfilled her husband’s wish and retired to Sheffield, where she was able to entertain and enjoy her extended family and friends.

She is survived by her six children, Teresa and husband Richard Abramshe of Highland, N.Y., Mary Ellen and husband Mark Raifstanger of Sheffield, John Podesta and wife Laura of Fayetteville, N.Y., Margaret and husband Martin McDonald, of Fishkill, N.Y., Jean and husband Mark Chory of Danbury, Conn., and Patricia and husband Jaime Vicent, of Orlando, Fla.; one brother, Raymond DeBettencourt of Vineyard Haven; 13 grandchildren, Nicholas and Kathryn Abramshe, Jacob and Courtney Raifstanger, Brenna and Brian Podsesta, Kylie, Shane, Cassidy and Krysti McDonald, Rebecca Chory and Adam and John Vicent. She was predeceased by a newborn daughter who died in 1954.

Funeral services were held at Our Lady of the Valley Church in Sheffield, with the Rev. Albert Dagnoli officiating. Interment followed at Our Lady of the Valley Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may be directed to Hospice Care in the Berkshires or to Our Lady of the Valley Building Fund, both in care of the Birchesroy Funeral Home, 33 South street, Great Barrington, MA. 01230.