In February of 2010, the Philadelphia Dragon Boat Association lost its 'Quiet Warrior,' as Dr. Eleanor Smergel lost her battle with cancer.
As a previous member of Hope Afloat, Schuylkill Dragons, and finally the PDBA and Team USA, Eleanor's spirit and strength touched all those who had the good fortune to know her.
As a lasting tribute to her time with us, we have established the Eleanor Smergel Memorial Endowment. One of Eleanor's last wishes was for people to donate to the
endowment. The money from the endowment will help a youth from the club in the
form of a scholarship for post secondary education or trade school.
February 4, 2010 Eleanor's Farewell to Bob McNamara
I started out feeling like a nobody
as far as dragon boat skill, and frankly a bit intimidated by the strength,
power and testosterone in the boat. What drew me to keep coming was your
consistency, predictability, and high expectations. I discovered my metastatic
disease by accident the week before we went to China. I nearly pulled out
but in the end decided it wouldn’t kill me to go. After that my disease
was very indolent, but I greeted each new spring time on the river with
joy.
The week before Australia, I
cracked a rib practicing, but put it off as a pulled muscle because Advil took
care of it. By spring I had cracked more ribs working out, and developed
severe anemia. Fortunately I had a complete response to Xeloda, and was
with you drumming in Long Beach.
It was like a miracle to get out again the next year and paddle. Now I am weary but the memories are
priceless.
February 4, 2010
