Obituary of Eleanor Bass Ganey

Eleanor Mays Bass Ganey was born on January 3, 1924, in Griffin, Georgia, to Edith and Haskell Bass. Eleanor passed away peacefully on December 31, 2013. She transferred as a sophomore from Griffin High in 1936, when her family moved to Bradenton, Florida. She immediately became involved in high school and was a member of the History Club, Photography Club, Swim Team, Glee Club, Jolly Jamboree, Music Festival, Oracle Staff, and Athletic Association. She graduated from Bradenton High School in 1940, where she was voted "The Most Popular" and the Class Prophecy was that she would be "the Toast of New York". She attended Stephens College in St. Louis, Missouri, for a year and transferred to The University of North Carolina, where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts. She was a founding member of the Tri Delta Chapter at the University of North Carolina. She returned to Bradenton and was a librarian at Palmetto High School. She married Dr. Joseph B. Ganey, Sr., in 1948 and had five children. She was always very involved with her family, her church and the community. She was a member of The Original Thirteen, Sponsor of Mam'Selles, Member of Entre Nous, President of Service Club, President of the local Tri Delta Chapter, Member of Contemporary Club, Charter Member of Collectors, President of St. Anne's at Christ Episcopal Church, Founding Member of The Junior League of Manatee County, Member of The Auxiliary of the Medical Society of Manatee County, The Monday Club and Founding Member of The Gray Haired Club. She and her late husband, who passed away in November of 1993, were also active in the Hernando DeSoto Society and Celebration and entertained dignitaries, ambassadors and elected officials in their home. She graciously offered her home to various charitable organizations for events and spent time with family and friends at the G7, either at the "ranch" or "on the boat". Her beautiful roses graced many a party table but after moving to Freedom Village in 2011, she was "happy to not have to cook or garden anymore!" She enjoyed playing with numerous bridge groups over the years and formed many wonderful and lasting friendships both in Bradenton and in Highlands, North Carolina. Her most recent groups were at Freedom Village and the Bradenton Country Club. She was a true southern lady who touched countless lives and never met a stranger. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Eleanor was a direct descendant of Thomas Jefferson and Francis Bellamy (author of the Pledge of Allegiance) and was a member of The Daughters of The American Revolution, Colonial Dames, Member of The Magna Carta, Daughters of the Barons of Runnemede, Monticello Association, Jamestown Society, and The Society of Descendants of Francis Eppes. She spent many years researching her family history and took each of her five children and their families to Monticello. She enjoyed reading and sharing books with others. Her church, family, friends, history and education were constants throughout her life. She is survived by a sister, Edith Bass Thompson (the late William) of Macon, Georgia; a brother, Dr. Haskell H. Bass, Jr. (Pat) of Tulsa, Oklahoma; five children, sons Dr. Joseph B. Ganey, Jr. (Kim); Dr. James N. Ganey (Mary Jo); Dr. Thomas H. Ganey (Susan); daughters Susan Ganey Conley (Jeff) and Anne Ganey Beasley; fourteen grandchildren, Brannen, Jordan and Kendall Ganey; Jim and Christopher Ganey; Brandi (Joel) Tindal and Thomas Ganey; Alan, Courtney (Tyler) Dutton and Chris Conley; R.J., Will, Kathryn and Wyatt Beasley; and one great grandchild, Joel Parker Tindal. She is also survived by numerous nephews, nieces, cousins and other extended family. Services will be held on Saturday, January 4th, at 2:00 P.M. at Christ Episcopal Church, 4030 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton, Florida 34205. Visitation with the family will be from 12:30 - 1:30 P.M. in the Parrish Hall. The graveside service will be private. The family requests in lieu of flowers that donations be made to Christ Episcopal Church. Griffith-Cline Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.