WILMINGTON — Eleanor Aquinas (Molloy) Rhoades, 95, passed away peacefully on August 31, 2025, in Wilmington, North Carolina. She was surrounded by her loved ones at the time of her passing, including her dear sister-in-law Rita (Molloy), family friend Jim Delfosse, her daughter Rosemarie, son-in-law Kenneth, and grandson Daniel.
Born on November 16, 1929, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Eleanor was the daughter of Irish immigrants Michael Molloy and Mary Ann (McMenamin) Molloy. She was the third of ten children and grew up during the challenges of the Great Depression. As a child, she bravely overcame polio with the tireless support of her parents and dedicated hospital care, regaining her ability to walk.
From an early age, Eleanor worked hard to help her family, beginning at age 14 where she worked at the “Home for the Incurables” alongside her sister Betty, later working at the renowned Horn & Hardart restaurant. Despite her work responsibilities, her greatest passion was music. She studied voice under Sr. Walter Marie, often singing on the radio and performing for soldiers at the USO during World War II, where she delighted in encouraging servicemen to join her in song.
At age 20, Eleanor auditioned for the Philadelphia Opera but, having just become engaged, chose love and family over a professional singing career. She married Lawrence “Larry” C. Rhoades, the love of her life, and together they raised a family rooted in faith, music, and tradition.
In October 1953, Eleanor and Larry became one of the first families to move into the Appletree section of the new Levittown development in Pennsylvania, where they lived for 65 years. A devoted parishioner of Saint Michael the Archangel Church, she was active in the Sodality and choir and frequently lent her beautiful voice to church services and events.
Family time was always at the heart of Eleanor’s life. Summers were often spent in Wildwood, New Jersey, creating cherished memories with children, grandchildren, and friends. In the 1970s, she and Larry co-founded with the Mr. & Mrs. Fitzpatrick the Irish Cultural Society in Bucks County, keeping alive the heritage of her parents’ homeland. Her love of community extended into the arts, including memorable performances in local plays—one in which she portrayed the mother of future Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick, with whom she maintained a friendship for many years.
In her later years, Eleanor moved to Wilmington, North Carolina, to live with her daughter Rosemarie. She became a beloved member of St. Therese Catholic Church, where she joyfully sang in the choir and continued sharing her gift of music with others.
Eleanor was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 67 years, Lawrence C. Rhoades; their sons, Charles and Brian; and her siblings Marie, Kathleen, Betty, Isabel, Michael, Edward, Sabina, and Cecelia.
She is survived by her daughters: Laura Foulds (James), Elaine Rhoades (William Lahtinen), and Rosemarie Hoffman (Kenneth Seino). She is also survived by her sister, Rosemary Hally, 10 grandchildren: Thomas Foulds (Karen), Michelle McCauley (John Rodzvilla), Paul McCauley (Jessica Miller), David McCauley, Aubrey McCauley (Michael Canavan), Jeremy Hoffman (Bethany), Craig Hoffman (Cody), Garrett Hoffman (Amanda), Corey Hoffman (Nicole), and Daniel Hoffman (Brittany); as well as 21 great-grandchildren—with one more soon to arrive.
Eleanor’s warmth, faith, strength, and music touched countless lives, and her legacy will live on in the hearts of all who loved her.
