Loved to travel, play bridge, entertain
Published January 28, 2021
NORTH READING — Eleanor (Billharz) Fritsch, 92, of North Reading and formerly of Seaford, Long Island, N.Y., died Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021.
She was the beloved wife of 64 years of the late John G. Fritsch.
Born in New York, New York on June 14, 1928, she was the daughter of the late Henry and Martha (Curley) Billharz. She was a graduate of Astoria High School in New York.
Eleanor was a resident of North Reading for the past 55 years and a member of St. Theresa Church.
She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Eleanor loved traveling, playing bridge and entertaining her many friends.
Family members include her loving son Michael E. Fritsch and his partner Laura McLaughlin of North Reading; late son John H. Fritsch and late daughter Martha E. Fritsch; brother Robert Billharz and his wife Joanne of Naples, Fla.; sister Jeannette Atkins of Phoenixville, Pa.; daughter-in-law Eileen Fritsch of Milford, N.H.; grandchildren Dana Fritsch and his wife Lindsay and their daughter Haylie of Las Vegas, Mikayla Fritsch of Somerville and Madison Fritsch of North Reading; step-grandchildren Sean O’ Brien and his daughter Emma and Robyn Smith and her husband Bob; in-laws the late Margaret and William Chabina of Syosset, N.Y. and Helen Layng and her late husband William of Smyra, Ga.
Her funeral will be held from the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow St., North Reading, on Friday, Jan. 29, at 9:15 a.m., followed by a 10:30 a.m. funeral Mass at St. Theresa Church, 63 Winter St., North Reading. Visitation will be held on Thursday, Jan. 28, from 5-7 p.m. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. The funeral Mass will be live-streamed (sttheresanreading.org). Social distancing and mask wearing protocols will be followed.
Memorial donations may be made in her name to Leukemia and Lymphoma Society or to the charity of one’s choice. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.croswellfuneralhome.com.
