Eleanor Rose Lemaire (Ellie), 92, most recently of West Hartford, Conn., passed away peacefully, in her sleep, at Hamilton Heights/Atria assisted living community in West Hartford on Sunday, July 25, 2021. She was born on June 27, 1929, in Bristol R.I., the daughter of the late Oliver Lemaire & Rose (Montplaisir) Lemaire.

She grew up in a tight knit family and had a happy childhood (despite the 1930s economic depression) in Bristol, an idyllic seaside community. Her lifelong love of nature and the ocean continued throughout her life and she would live most of her life in Rhode Island.

She earned her Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from Boston University, Sargent College in Mass. Over the next 12 years, Ellie happily taught in school systems in Boston, Mass., Simsbury, Conn., Barrington, R.I., Mount Kisco, N.Y., and Skidmore College, N.Y. – all while earning her Master of Education from Rhode Island College.  From 1963 to 1976, Ellie made a difference at the University of Bridgeport, Arnold College, where she rose to Director of Women’s Athletics.

Ellie’s life and career took a new direction when in 1976, Title IX, a U.S. federal civil rights law, went into effect. It prohibits sex-based discrimination in any school or education program that receives federal money. Title IX is best known for its impact on high school and collegiate athletics.

With that landmark legislation, Ellie found a concrete way to manifest her innate desire for equality, in all forms. She became a Title IX pioneer and warrior. To that end, Ellie began her storied tenure at the University of Rhode Island as the Senior Associate Director of Athletics and NCAA Compliance Coordinator in 1976 until she retired in 1992.

There, and throughout the country, she “created possibilities out of sheer charm and force of will — the defining theme of her remarkable career.” (Pippa Jack).

Ellie used her time, intelligence, strength, confidence, resourcefulness, energy and passion (and a healthy amount of stubborn perseverance) to lead organizations for change, educate the public, create committees, participate in no less than 16 offices and committee appointments in professional organizations (including the NCAA), coach, officiate, lecture, author, consult, create women’s sports teams where there had been none before, mentor and advocate.

All this hard work, by Ellie and many others who advocated for women’s equality, and still do, create opportunities for girls and women to excel, and learn valuable skills and life lessons, via sports. By any measure, in just one generation, Title IX is a staggering success.

If you have a relative or friend who participates in women’s athletics in this country, you can, in part, thank Ellie.

Ellie has won too many local, state and national awards to list. She has been inducted into an astonishing nine (9) halls of fame and has been listed in the “Who’s Who of American Women.” Ellie has indicated that she “was a career person and every bit of it was a joy.”

In her “spare time,” Ellie loved spending time with family and friends — hosting many a fabulous party. During her life, Ellie (a smart, warm and very social woman) was a devout Catholic, golfed (semi-pro), traveled the world, gardened, played the trumpet and piano, sang, sailed, swam (saved at least 3 people from drowning), appreciated art, wintered in Sanibel Island, Fla., (in retirement), read and played cards.

Ellie is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews and great-great nieces, who all love her, as well as many mentees, friends, and students – all whose lives she has changed for the better.  Ellie was predeceased by her three sisters (and best friends): Dorothy Moren, Evelyn Lamoureux and Jeanette LaRiviere.  They spoke on the phone to each other nearly every day! She was also predeceased by her housemate of many years, Madge Phillips.

A funeral service will take place on Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church in Bristol, R.I., with a burial immediately after at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Bristol, R.I.

Gifts can be made in Ellie’s memory to the University of Rhode Island, Eleanor R. Lemaire Award. Checks can be made payable to the “URI Foundation” and mailed to: P. O. Box 1700, Kingston, RI 02881, with a note in the memo line of the check indicating to direct the gift to the Eleanor R. Lemaire Award.  o make this secure gift online go to:  https://www.URIfoundation.org with a note in memory of Eleanor Lemaire. Online condolences may be made at www.SheehanHilbornBreen.com

“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson