As a St. Vrain Valley school board member, Eleanor Flanders often heard requests from teachers for money to pay for innovative ideas.

But the district in the 1980s couldn't afford to fund the requests. So she worked with then-Superintendent Keith Blue in 1985 to start St. Vrain's nonprofit Education Foundation to provide grants to educators.

She led the foundation as its president until retiring in 2004.

"She was very much involved in the community," said her son, Paul Flanders.

Flanders died Sunday at the age of 100. She had lived in Longmont for 67 years, living more recently at the Covenant Village of Colorado nursing home in Westminster.

Funeral services are scheduled at 1:30 p.m. Monday at Covenant Village's Smith Chapel, 9153 Yarrow St., Westminster.

She was born the oldest of seven children in Spearville, Kan., on March 27, 1916, and lived there until she was 14, when her family bought a farm in Yuma. She married Laurence Flanders on June 6, 1941 — an event that coincided with her moving to Longmont.

Laurence Flanders, a lawyer, died at the age of 91.

She's survived by four children, all living in Longmont. She was named Colorado Mother of the Year in 1972, after taking the Longmont Mother of the Year title in 1971.

Paul Flanders said she approached life with optimism, always positive that she could get things done.

"She had a lot of energy and a lot of upbeat spirit," he said. "For her kids, she always believed in us and kept our spirits lifted. We were so blessed to have her growing up."

He said many considered her a surrogate mother, from his own friends to children she tutored in a juvenile court program. She also was involved with 4H, rotary, her church and a local bridge club.

He said his mom was an expert competitive bridge player who continued to play with him until the last few months of her life. She earned a silver life master designation in bridge a few years ago.

"We kept playing twice a week, at least," he said. "She kept sharp."

She had a passion for travel, referring to her travel fund as the "Eleanor Venture." After her retirement from the foundation, the board of directors established the annual "Eleanor Venture" travel grant for St. Vrain Valley teachers.

"Eleanor donated to the grant herself," said Lee Berg, executive director of the Education Foundation for the St. Vrain Valley. "She loved learning and hearing about the experiences of the teachers. It's a way to say to teachers, we value you and appreciate you and want to expand your horizons."

Amy Bounds: 303-473-1341, boundsa@dailycamera.com or twitter.com/boundsa

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