Eleanor Sue Kanter, 88, passed away on July 21, 2018 at her home, Beth Sholom Village in Virginia Beach.  She was born and raised in Portsmouth. Eleanor was predeceased by her parents, Charles & Rose Kanter, and her brother, Jules Irving Kanter.

She attended The College of William & Mary, graduating in 1954 with a degree in English Literature.  Eleanor wrote short stories and poems for magazines, as well as three books which were never published. Her third was a biography of Franklin D. Roosevelt; this she felt was her best work. She was active in numerous organizations including Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization of America.

Eleanor enjoyed reading extensively. Having experienced sight problems since she was young, she credited a housekeeper from a small private school in Portsmouth with teaching her to read, as she taught her "standard English." She maintained a strong interest in politics and enjoyed NPR and CNN, as well as classical music. She enjoyed traveling, to Europe as well as four visits to Israel during her lifetime.

Survivors include two nephews, Bruce Kanter of Laurel, Maryland, and Michael Kanter of Switzerland.

A graveside service will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, July 26, at Gomley Chesed Cemetery, George Washington Hwy. and Frederick Blvd., Portsmouth. Memorial contributions may be made to Beth Sholom Village or to the Jewish Museum and Cultural Center in Portsmouth. Condolences may be registered at BWFosterFuneralHome.com.