Eleanor Leeper

Eleanor Leeper, 87, of Camp Hill, passed away late Monday evening, July 24, 2023, at Carlisle Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. Born on October 8, 1935 in Ashland, PA, she was the daughter of the late Stanley Jurgill and Grace (Beaver) Orner.

Ellie overcame many challenges early in life, including the passing of her biological father. Raised by her mother and stepfather, the late George Orner, she would graduate in 1953 from Steelton High School, Steelton. She would meet her late husband, Richard Donald Leeper, after graduation, and the two would go on to raise two children.

Ellie retired as a supervisor from Aetna Inc., Camp Hill, and she had a lifelong affinity for animals of all kinds. She loved her kitty cats and took it upon herself to trap and release the local strays (after having them spayed/neutered). It was also common for her to take in injured animals, such as the time she nursed a bird back to good health. Ellie enjoyed playing cards and kept her mind sharp with crossword puzzles and Sudoku. She took great pride in her home and garden, and you could count on her to always have a stocked cabinet full of snacks.

El was a former parishioner at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Harrisburg, and her faith was evident in the way she treated others. This isn’t to say that she never said a cross word; you’ll have to ask her children about her feisty side. She was independent yet down-to-earth and always straightforward. One lasting memory will be the one (and only) motorcycle ride she would take as a young woman – directly into a bush. The love she shared will remain with those closest to her, and she is certainly smiling at the fact that her two kitties have found a new home with her daughter, Karen.

Eleanor leaves behind two children, David Leeper (wife, Sally) of Etters and Karen Murphy (husband, Mike) of Mechanicsburg; five grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren; siblings, Stanley Jurgill (wife, Jane) of Middletown, James Orner of UT, and Flo Sheriff (husband, Bob) of Enola; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Irene Orner.

A memorial service will be held at 11AM on Monday, July 31, 2023 at Parthemore Funeral Home & Cremation Services, New Cumberland. A visitation will take place from 10AM until services start in the funeral home. Interment will immediately follow in Rolling Green Cemetery, Camp Hill.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution in Ellie’s name to: The Nobody’s Cats Foundation, 3909 Hartzdale Drive, Camp Hill, PA 17011, or at www.nobodyscats.org.