Elynor Cynthia (Mullaney) Lamkins, 88, passed away peacefully on April 2, 2021 at Kent Hospital in Warwick. She was preceded in death by her husband George Albert Lamkins; her brother Richard “Dick” Mullaney Jr.; and sisters, Patricia “Patsy” Kreyssig-Neelans, Carol Archer, and Jacquelyn “Jacquie” Tilton Glynn. She also had an older brother, John Joseph Mullaney, who died shortly after birth.
Born in Michigan to Richard L. and Eleanor Mullaney Sr., Elynor spent the majority of her childhood in Avon, Connecticut, where she graduated from Mount St. Joseph’s Academy. She married George in 1955, and they moved out west, eventually settling in southern California where they raised their six children on a small ranch with horses, sheep, goats, cows, chickens, dogs, and cats. In those days, she was known as “Cindy” to her local family and friends.
The pull of family and the beautiful change of seasons lured her and George back to New England in the 1980s where they eventually settled in Westerly, Rhode Island in 1984. While George’s wanderlust took him cycling all around the country and finally back to southern California, Elynor remained in Rhode Island, her permanent home, close to her sisters and brother.
Elynor loved and supported her children unconditionally. She proudly shared their accomplishments, loyally held their confidences, and served as a safe harbor during times of tribulation. She carried their pictures in her daily prayer book, talking to the Blessed Mother Mary every day on their behalf.
A wiz with budgets and finance, at various times in her life Elynor worked as a bank teller, real estate agent, and broker. She also wrote a children’s book, illustrated by a local equestrian artist. However, she considered nursing her greatest professional vocation, graduating with high honors at 60 and continuing to serve through her 70’s, including Apple Rehab Clipper in Westerly. She loved being referred to as “the kid” by her patients. Eventually, when she could no longer meet the physical demands of the job, rather than retire, she kept her nursing license and became a Patient Sitter, offering quiet comfort to the mentally desperate. She also volunteered for disaster relief services in the US and Haiti.
Elynor loved to travel, whether it was a religious pilgrimage, an extended visit with her children and grandchildren, an adventure with a sibling or touring her beloved Ireland. She appreciated all kinds of music, learned how to play the guitar, and it was not uncommon to see her “boogying” around the house. She had a dry sense of humor but loved the occasional prank and a good laugh, especially with her siblings.
As a devout Catholic and a person of deep faith, Elynor dedicated much of her life to the preciousness and quality of life whether it be for the unborn, the impoverished, the suicidal, or the elderly. Well known to the pastors of both St. Pius X and Immaculate Conception Churches, Elynor was a daily communicant and regular adorer at the Perpetual Adoration Chapel at Immaculate Conception.
Elynor is survived by her children, Bonnie (and Yves) Jeanfrancois, Brian Lamkins, Mark (and Myra) Lamkins, Perry (and Suzanne) Lamkins, Jennifer Lamkins (and Ashley Ratliff), and Colleen (and Henry) Rainone, as well as her numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Immaculate Conception Church, 111 High Street, Westerly at 10am on April 9, 2021. Burial will be private. Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home, 59 Spruce Street, Westerly, RI is in care of the arrangements. For online condolences please visit www.gaffneydolanfuneralhome.com