Eleanor Pierson, 100, passed away on Friday, December 12, 2014 at Francis Asbury Manor, Ocean Grove her home since 2002. She was the founder of the Bradley Food Pantry in Bradley Beach. Started on the second floor of the St James Episcopal Rectory in1982, the Pantry is now housed in itsown building, supported by fourchurches:St JamesEpiscopal ChurchandChurch of theAscension,Bradley Beachand West Grove Methodist Church, Neptune and Memorial Methodist Church, Neptune City. The Pantry volunteersnow servemore than 600 families a month.She was honored as the firstHometown Herofeatured in the Asbury Park Press on January 5, 2003.Clara Eleanor Morriswas bornin JerseyCity, NJ. She graduated from Cranford High School at the age of 16 and then workedas a secretaryin New York Cityto help support her family during the Depression. After marrying andwhileraising her children, sheworked for Clayton J. Newman Furniture in SouthBelmar,and General Dynamics,Red Bank and Shrewsbury. She finished her career as Executive Assistant to the CEO of Standard Keil, Wall.She was predeceased by her parents, Edward Morris and Clara Martin, her husband Earl Pierson in 1962, and her brother Robert.Surviving are her son, John E. Pierson, III and his wife Theresa Milazzo, Atlanta, her daughters, Jane E. Pierson and her husband John Ver Steeg, Washington, DC and Margaret Bollinger and her husband Brian, Atlantic Highlands, two grandchildren, DR Jennifer Kelly Bollinger, Trexlertown, PA and Lindsey Anna Futuyma and her husband Paul of West Chester, PA,two great grandchildren Annabelle Lynn andMatthew Henry Futuyma, and hernieces and nephews.Eleanor cherished and believed in each one. Eleanor and her family areforever grateful to her dear friends Catherine Carroll, Sandee Neare, Stacie and Ethel Phillips, Nikki Iadanza, Linda Rosevear andeveryone inthe extraordinary community of Francis Asbury Manor.In all of her various endeavors, Eleanor led by example, with vision and quiet determination, her compassion and faith informing her actions. In later life she did receive attention and praise from those around her. In truth she was embarrassed on such occasions, knowing instinctively that any accomplishments ascribed to her resulted from the efforts from those around her. Personally, she lived each day to the fullest, continuing to grow and change throughout her long life. She always took the opportunity to experience the joys and pleasures life offers in things both great and small. Eleanor Pierson was a true 'hometown hero' to many who knew her, even though she would never have said so herself...which is the best kind of hero to be.Relatives and friends may call on Wednesday, December 17 from 10:00AM with a Eucharist following at 11:00AM at St James Episcopal Church, 605 Fourth Avenue, Bradley Beach, with interment following at Monmouth Memorial Park, Tinton Falls.In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Bradley Food Pantry, 605 Fourth Avenue, Bradley Beach, NJ 07720(www.bradleyfoodpantry.org)or Francis Asbury Manor, 70 Stockton Avenue, Ocean Grove, NJ 07756(www.francis-asbury-manor.umh-nj.org)would be appreciated.