Eleanor Henshaw Ovca

Click Here to View Eleanor's Video Tribute

Eleanor Henshaw Ovca, age 93, of New Smyrna Beach, died Monday, April 4 at Fairgreen Assisted Living. Born in New Smyrna to Edward and Ruth Henshaw, Eleanor graduated from Florida State College for Women, now Florida State University, and taught at Bay High School in Panama City for 35 years. She maintained homes in both New Smyrna Beach and Panama City for her entire adult life.

Eleanor was a lifetime member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and an avid sports fan, especially when the Gators were playing. During her summers, she traveled extensively with her mother and Frances Johnson all over the United States, taking in a baseball game whenever possible. She was also a singer and musician, having a group in Panama City called George Gore and The Harmonettes.

Survivors include step-children, Mike Ovca of Panama City, and Susan Barclay and husband, Tom, of Mobile, Alabama; cousins, Conni Henshaw of Milford, CT and Burton Jordan of Birmingham, AL.

Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated 11:00 a.m. Thursday, April 7 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, with Father Rodney Roehner officiating. Interment will follow in Edgewater-New Smyrna Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Settle-Wilder New Smyrna Beach Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial to the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Endowment Fund, 1650 Live Oak Street, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168.

 Service Information