Matthews, Eleanor
MATTHEWS, Eleanor
Eleanor Quinn Matthews of Atlanta, Georgia died on September 24, 2021. She leaves behind three children: her son, David Ian Matthews of Atlanta, GA; daughter Jane Matthews-Hirsch and her husband Mike Hirsch of Atlanta, GA; and daughter Rachel Matthews Prioleau and her husband Robert Prioleau of Charleston, SC. Eleanor also leaves her three grandchildren: Graham Andrew Fillo, Elizabeth Quinn Fillo and Isabel Grace Prioleau. Eleanor (Eleanor Quinn Sauer) was born on the prairies of western Canada in Regina, Saskatchewan, and attended Queen's University in Ontario where she earned her master's degree in arts/economics and political science. She moved to Atlanta in 1965, and went on to earn her master's degree in City Planning from Georgia Tech. In 1985, Eleanor founded Marketek, Inc., where she analyzed commercial and residential markets throughout the nation, transforming hundreds of communities by helping small towns and neighborhoods recognize and achieve their economic potential. Eleanor's daughter, Rachel, also earned her master's degree in City Planning, becoming the first mother and daughter at Georgia Tech to have earned the same degree. Beyond her work, Eleanor was deeply passionate about animals. Growing up, she was a champion equestrian, and went on to fill her life with countless pets that included dogs, many cats and even a deeply loved duck named Bob. Although she hated to leave her pets, Eleanor's travels took her around the world, to India, Ireland and Africa, where she developed an enduring love for Cheetahs. Eleanor restored Robert Woodruff's first home, his 1912 honeymoon "cottage" in Inman Park, where she lived for almost 40 years and from which she operated a bed and breakfast. She loved sharing her home, pets and life stories with her guests, many of whom returned wanting to hear her amusing stories and life observations. It was hard to meet Eleanor and not be captivated by her beauty, intellect and spirit. She was a force of nature, impossible to forget and deeply loved by those who knew her.
