Posted on 04/05/2018
Eleanor Mae Pontius Slocum, 97, a 52-year ¬resident of Annapolis, with her last fourteen years spent at Ginger Cove, left peacefully in her sleep and entered the eternal realm and kissed the face of God March 24, 2018. Eleanor was born August 25, 1920 in Conneaut, Ohio. She graduated from Thomas W. Harvey High School in Painesville, Ohio, 1938, and married the love of her life, Winfield Scott Slocum III. As a dedicated Naval Officer's wife she lived in many states and Cannes, France. In every move she made each house a lovely orderly home for her family. Known as "Grams" to loved ones, she poured her life and love into them. Her life motto and practice was, "Do everything with love." She would surely say her greatest accomplishment was raising four kids who loved and respected each other, and grew up to be solid citizens which she called "gold in the bank." She had a home sewing circle, was fond of fine stationery and greeting cards, enjoyed cooking and baking, and gave away smiles as bright and sunny as the daffodils and sunflowers she adored. She taught Sunday school, volunteered at the Hammond Harwood House, and the Naval Academy Gift Shop. Mrs. Slocum is preceded in death by her husband, CDR. Winfield Scott Slocum III, USN Ret., whom she married June 19, 1943 at Calvary United Methodist Church in Annapolis, MD, and who died May 21, 1985. She is survived by her daughters, Sandra Slocum Stillwell and husband, Lon Holmberg, of Orange, VA, Nancy Eleanor Slocum of Midlothian, VA, and her sons, Winfield Scott Slocum IV and wife, Cathy Jill, of Poulsbo, WA, and Douglas Alan Slocum and wife, Katheryn Mary, of Kensington, MD; nine grandchildren, Catherine Stillwell Martin, Carolyn Michelle Stillwell, Ernest Albert Dettbarn III, Lindsay Elizabeth Dettbarn, Winfield Scott Slocum V, Kenneth Jason Slocum, Tonya Slocum Feary, Alexander Douglas Slocum, Brian DeLozier Slocum; twelve great-grandchildren, Cassie Ann Fox, August Bertram Dettbarn, Margaret Louise Dettbarn, Adeleye Thomas Olatunde, Olayinka Olivia Olatunde, Winfield Scott Slocum VI, Christopher Jordan Slocum, Haile Slocum Halvoran, Mason Cole Feary, Savannah Madalyn Feary-Young, Sierra McKenzie Feary, and McKalabh Hayden Feary; and two great-great-grandchildren, Weston Jace Slocum, and Kenna Nicole Rose Petersen. A memorial service at the USNA Columbarium will be followed by a celebration of life in the Naval Academy Club. Date to be determined. The family requests, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations in her name be made to amfAR, the Foundation for AIDS Research, 120 Wall Street, 13th Floor New York, NY 10005-3902 or by calling (800) 39-AMFAR.
Published in The Capital Gazette on Apr. 5, 2018