Eleanor Means Hull was born into a religious and literary family in Denver, Colorado on August 19, 1913, the only child of Florence Crannell Means, a noted author, and Carlton Bell Means, a lawyer. Eleanor advanced quickly through the school system, finishing college by the age of 18. She was educated at Colorado Women's College, the University of Redlands and the University of Denver. In 1938 she married Angus Hull, a Baptist minister, and over the next 35 years they moved several times as Angus became the pastor of churches in Boulder and Peoria, and then a church executive in Cleveland and New York City. Following his death in 1974 she moved to the house they had planned to retire to in Gold Hill, Colorado. She lived in Gold Hill for 10 years before moving to Boulder. Eleanor authored 16 books for children and young adults between 1949 and 1984, focusing on minorities, religious and social justice issues Her books include The Sling and the Swallow (1963), Her books include The Sling and the Swallow (1963), a retelling of Bible stories from a child's viewpoint, The Second Heart (1973), a story about a Mexican maid pursuing an education, and Alice with Golden Hair (1981) about a mentally handicapped girl working in a nursing home. She also worked as a social worker in the New York area in the 1960s. She remained passionate about social justice throughout her life. Eleanor joined the Boulder Meeting of Friends (Quakers) in 1981 and worshiped there for over 30 years. She moved to the Frasier Meadows retirement community in Boulder in 2003. On Aug. 19 this year Eleanor achieved a milestone, celebrating her 100th birthday with family, friends and members of the Frasier Meadows community. She passed away peacefully in bed at Frasier Meadows Health Center on Nov. 5. She is survived by four children Mary Margaret of New York City, Angus (Lydia) of Mill Valley, CA, Peter (Linda) of Hinckley, OH, and Jeremy (Linda) of Winnipeg, Canada, as well as eight grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband Angus, and her son Stephen. A memorial service will take place at the Frasier Meadows Manor chapel on Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 2:00 pm.


(Published in The Boulder Daily Camera 11/12/2013)