Eleanor L. Wetmore, 86, of Essex, passed away Sept. 11. Born April 24, 1936 in Evanston, Illinois, she was the daughter of the late Edward Hegeler Lihme and the late Eleanor W. Reichner and late stepfather Morgan S. A. Reichner.

She grew up in Oyster Bay, New York. Eleanor graduated from the Foxhollow School in Lenox, Massachusetts and attended Vassar College. She moved to Essex,in 1962, where she raised her family and enjoyed boating and sailing. She was a longtime member of the Essex Yacht Club and worked on many club and race committees.

Eleanor married Edward W. Wetmore in 1977, and they enjoyed many years sailing and powerboating aboard their boat, Wetquest. She was Ed’s navigator and plotted their course, while entertaining their many crew and guests. When not on the water, you could find Eleanor in her garden. Professionally, she retired as a corporate comptroller, after which she earned her Master Gardener degree from UConn and was an involved member and treasurer of the Essex Garden Club for many years. Eleanor also loved traveling and enjoyed numerous trips with friends.

She is predeceased by her parents; and husband Edward W. Wetmore. She is survived by her sons, Edward S. Blagden of Waterford, and David W. Blagden (Karen) of Norwalk; stepdaughter Carmen W. O’Connor (Deb Zsigalov) of Walling, Tennessee; and grandchildren: Joshua F. Blagden, David F. Blagden, Megan F. Blagden, and Carmen Keel Sebastian; step-great-grandchildren, Scarlet and Camden Sebastian. She is also survived by her sister Anita L. Keefe, (Luke McCarthy) of Greenwich; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 16, at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 3 Cross Street, Essex. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Essex Garden Club, PO Box 936, Essex, CT 06426.