Eleanor Louise Warren

Eleanor Louise Warren, age 15, passed away peacefully at home on December 5, 2024. She was born in Syracuse, NY to Anna Dahlstein and Scott Warren and promptly given many goofy nicknames by her 3-year-old big sister, Linnea. Both were baptized by Father Fred Daley in All Saints Church on January 11, 2015, and welcomed into the Catholic community of faith by godmothers Beth Basara Myers and Mary Downes Welker. 

 Although Eleanor was diagnosed at six months of age with Pitt-Hopkins Syndrome, a rare genetic anomaly, she was warmly welcomed by Syracuse University’s genuinely inclusive Early Education and Child Care Center, followed by Bernice M. Wright School next door. She then spent another year each at the outstanding Jowonio School and Ed Smith School. She loved her teachers, therapists and friends there and, for the remainder of her schooling, in the Special Education program at Syracuse Latin. 

Eleanor did not allow her limitations to break her spirit. As a younger child, “Little Miss Sunshine” had a sunny disposition and infectious smile. As a tween and teenager, she took on a sassier attitude, with an epic side-eye and curled lip to match. She could rebel against putting in effort in the classroom when she wasn’t in the mood, but she valiantly fought her way back from numerous health scares. During the warmer months, she liked going on walks outdoors and taking dips in Green Lake. In the winter, she enjoyed snuggling with her buddies, Rochester the cat and Casper the dog, while watching music videos. She was particularly fond of lavish Bollywood dance numbers, snazzy Big Band hits, and contemporary talent shows.

Nobody delighted Ellie more than Linnea, who both doted on and roughhoused with her little sister. They shared many conspiratorial glances, silly in-jokes, and belly laughs. Eleanor was treasured by her grandparents, Britt-Marie Dahlstein of Järfälla, Sweden, Georgia Warren of Millheim, PA, and John-Olof Dahlstein of Saltsjöbaden, Sweden; aunts and uncles Kim (Millheim), Madeleine (Berlin, Germany), and Jenny and Heeten (Boston, MA); cousins Ravi and Rohan; and many other members of her extended family in Sweden and the United States. 

 We are grateful for the exceptional care she received over the years from wonderful people like Jenn Davis, Ewa Zietek, Mary Jean Curtis, Perrin Kaftan, Jessica Montena, Max Fellows, and Melissa Sugamele; nurses Rachel DeNoble (RN) and Dea Kuiper (RN); Drs. Barbara Anne Morisseau and Irene Cherrick; and all the incredible staff in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital and in the CHOICES and CompassionNet palliative care programs. Likewise, we are forever grateful to our tremendously supportive neighbors and other friends in the Westcott/SU community. “It takes a village” indeed.

 Calling hours will be Saturday, December 14th from 2-5 pm  at Burns Garfield Funeral Home, 3175 E. Genesee Street, Syracuse. Colorful attire is encouraged for this simple celebration of life. A funeral Mass at All Saints Church (1340 Lancaster Ave) will be held on Saturday, Dec. 28 at 11am. A burial will be held at Oakwood Cemetery in the spring. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a gift to Jowonio School’s general unrestricted fund in memory of Eleanor – and in honor of her former adaptive ballet teacher, the extraordinary occupational therapist at Jowonio, Lisa Neville. https://jowonio.org/culture-of-giving/