BRIDGEVILLE - Elinor H. Stephens passed away peacefully on Monday, Nov. 18, 2013 at Methodist Manor House, Seaford. She was born in East Orange, N.J. on Sept. 12, 1921, daughter of the late Franklin and Albertha (West) Heydecke. Mrs. Stephens graduated from Tufts University, Medford, Ma. and continued her education at Columbia University, New York City, N.Y., where she received her Masters degree. She taught physical education for numerous years at New Jersey College for Women, part of the Rutgers University, New Brunswick, N.J. After meeting the love of her life, William R. Stephens, they relocated to Delaware in 1952 to start their family. Since then, Elinor became a homemaker and took great pleasure in taking care of her family. During her spare time Elinor enjoyed spending time at the bowling alley with friends. She was also an active volunteer at Nanticoke Memorial Hospital for over 30 years. Elinor will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother and a great friend by all who knew her. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Stephens was preceded in death by her loving husband of 39 years, William R. Stephens in 1992. She is survived by her daughter, Diane E. Stephens of Wilmington; her two sons, David Stephens and his wife, Alice, of Arnold, Md. and Peter Stephens and his wife, Barbara, of Seaford; and her four grandchildren, Jonathan Stephens and his fiancé Lindsay James, Jennifer Stephens, Daniel Stephens, and Matthew Stephens. Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013 at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Hardesty Chapel, 202 Laws Street, Bridgeville, DE 19933, where friends may visit beginning at 10 a.m. Interment will immediately follow services at Bridgeville Cemetery, Bridgeville, DE. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 163, Salisbury, MD 21803 or to the American Heart Association, 200 Continental Drive, Suite 101, Newark, DE 19713. Please visit Mrs. Stephens Life Memorial Webpage and sign her online guestbook at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com