Eleanor Stoffel Borgmann Scaffidi age 85 passed away on August 6th. She was born in Milwaukee on August 8, 1934 to Joseph Borgmann and Maria Anna (Stoffel) Borgmann, immigrants from Dusseldorf and Cologne, Germany (respectively).
Eleanor is survived by her four children Paul (Kathy), Michael (Donna), Suzanne (Raymond) Warell, and Frank (Mia). She was a beloved grandmother to eight grandchildren known as “Omie Elly” by Zachary (Chelsey), Kayley, Witnee, Wyatt, Marissa, Willow, Sophia, and Isabella. She is further survived by Borgmann nieces, Ann and Lori, grand-nephew Mark, and other nieces, nephews, and cousins around the world. Many close friends near and far have been a wonderful blessing throughout her lifetime, including Mary B., Pat T., and Jeannette S. who always remember Elly for her intelligence, good wit, and sage advice.
She was preceded in death by the love of her life, Frank Scaffidi, whom she met at Marquette University as a first year history student; her parents; and brothers, Raymond and Paul, sister-in-law Emilie Borgmann, and brothers-in-law, Joseph and Carmelo.
After raising four children, Elly enrolled and completed many educational courses in a variety of subjects, including the German language and culture. She returned to the workforce to become a highly sought after diet coach. She also worked part time at Boston Store and volunteered extensively. When she retired as a Boston Store sales clerk and as a hospice care volunteer at St. Mary’s with over 5,000 hours, she was honored with recognition luncheons.
Eleanor was a devoted Catholic and as a child at St. Gall’s parish near Center and Buffum Streets, she wanted to become a nun. She was a long-time member of several Catholic parishes including St. Casimir’s, St. Robert’s (Shorewood), Holy Family (Whitefish Bay), and Christi Lumen (Mequon). She practiced her Catholic faith daily and dutifully. Her loving German goodnight prayer “Jesus Kindchen Klein” will long be remembered.
While she lived independently at the Milwaukee Catholic Home for two years and attended mass daily, she moved to St. Anne’s enhanced assisted living after experiencing a stroke. She loved to knit, listen to classical music, and sew while at home. As a resident at St. Anne’s, she continued to attend daily mass and participated in music and painting activities. The family wishes to thank her loving and supportive St. Anne’s caregivers for bringing out her smiling nature. She was a beautiful woman with a heart of gold, delightfully playful, with a silly sense of humor. During her younger years, she was known as “Moo-mauser” by the Cramer Street (Milwaukee) and Ardmore Avenue (Whitefish Bay) neighborhood kids. She often whistled down the Cramer Street alley or rang a cowbell to signal her children to come home. She frequently visited her German relatives and last attended the annual Stoffel Family reunion in 2010 with her son Frank and daughter-in-law Mia.
Visitation at Krause Funeral Home, 9000 West Capitol Drive, Milwaukee, on Monday, August 10, 2020, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Funeral Service at 11:00 AM. A private family burial will be held immediately following the service at Holy Cross Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Elly’s favorite local charities including St. Anne’s, Messmer High School, or the Alzheimer’s Association.