Eleanor Tocco

TOCCO, Eleanor. August 23, 2026. Age 93. Beloved daughter of Vincenzo and Rose Tocco. Loving sister of Msgr. Anthony Tocco and James Tocco. Dear sister in law of Betty Jo. She was predeceased by her siblings, Paul, Joe, Dorothy, Rosemary, John, Sam, Phil, Bill, and Fran. She is survived by an abundance of nieces and nephews who loved her dearly. Eleanor Tocco was born the ninth of thirteen children in the close-knit Tocco family, which included nine boys and four girls. She and her siblings were raised in the Catholic faith, attending St. Catherine of Siena and receiving their education from the Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters of Monroe from first through 12th grade. Just six months after graduating, Eleanor answered a calling of her own and entered the Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters community, where she remained for seventeen years. During that time, she taught at various parochial schools while continuing her own education at Marygrove College in Detroit, earning both her bachelor’s degree in Education and later her master’s degree. After leaving the convent, Eleanor began the next chapter of her life as a sixth-grade teacher with Fraser Public Schools. She spent another 23 years in the classroom, ultimately retiring in 1992 after an incredible 38 year career devoted to education. It was during her years in Fraser that Eleanor also discovered another passion: public service and politics. Through Nancy White, then president of Fraser’s MEA, Eleanor became involved in David Bonior’s campaign for the Michigan House of Representatives. She greatly admired his work and became inspired by the many young people who dedicated themselves to public service alongside him. Following her retirement from teaching, Eleanor devoted much of her time to helping young people pursue elected office. For Eleanor, her support was always personal, she took great pride in truly knowing the people she stood behind. Her dedication was recognized when she was honored at the Clinton Township Democratic Club’s Honors Dinner. One of the proudest moments of her life came when Congressman David Bonior nominated her to serve as an Electoral College elector representing Michigan’s 10th Congressional District during President Bill Clinton’s reelection. For all that Eleanor accomplished throughout her life, however, family was always at the very heart of who she was. In a family as wonderfully large as the Toccos, Eleanor somehow managed to know everyone, not simply by name, but by who they were. She had 53 nieces and nephews, many with spouses or significant others and children of their own, and Eleanor knew them all. She knew their families, their lives, and their stories. It was a distinction few could claim and one that perfectly reflected the genuine interest she took in the people she loved. To her family, Eleanor was quite simply the heart of the Tocco family. Generous with her time, her love, and herself, she was always there for her brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, and the generations that followed. Perhaps no act better demonstrated the depth of that devotion than when Eleanor donated a kidney to her brother Bill, giving him four additional years of life and, most importantly, the precious opportunity to know and spend time with his grandchildren. Eleanor lived a life devoted to others, as a sister, an educator, a woman of faith, a mentor, an advocate, and an aunt to an abundance of nieces and nephews. She leaves behind a remarkable legacy in the countless lives she taught, encouraged, supported, and loved, and in the family for whom she will forever remain at the heart. Visitation Tuesday, August 25th, from 3-8pm with a 7pm Prayer Service at Wujek - Calcaterra & Sons Inc., (Shelby Township), 54880 Van Dyke at 25 Mile Rd. Funeral Wednesday, August 26th, Instate from 10:30am until time of 11am Mass at St. Hugo of the Hills Stone Chapel, 2215 Opdyke Rd., Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304. Private Interment, Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions are appreciated to the Capuchin Soup Kitchen (https://www.cskdetroit.org/donate/monetary-donations/). Please share memories with the family at their online guestbook at WujekCalcaterra.com

Eleanor Tocco

August 2, 1933 - August 23, 2026