Eleanore Barno, active in deaf groups

From: Cleveland Plain Dealer, OH - Aug 1, 2003

Wally Guenther Plain Dealer Reporter

Brook Park- Eleanore Barno, 68, who died Monday, was deaf and used her skills in sign language to help others.

She lost her hearing at the age of 2 after a bout with rheumatic fever, said a daughter, Maria Rakoski of Cleveland.

Barno died in her Brook Park home from complications of liver disease and diabetes, her daughter said.

She was a longtime member of St. Augustine Catholic Church, where she was the church's founding member of the Mary's Rosary Guild for the Deaf. The Guild has about 50 members.

Once a month, she served as a Eucharistic minister with the deaf members, reading the liturgy to them in sign language and distributing Communion.

"She was wonderful with the deaf members," said Sister Corita Ambrose, of St. Augustine.

Barno was a member of the International Catholic Deaf Association and the Buckeye Deaf Senior Citizens. She held various offices in both organizations. She founded the first deaf Blue Birds/Camp Fire Girls Troop for deaf girls in 1971.

She was a member of the Cleveland Catholic Deaf Association and held several offices. In 1951, she was named Miss Deaf Catholic of Cleveland.

Barno also was active in sports for the deaf, such as softball, bowling and cheerleading.

She was a skilled dressmaker and seamstress who often was asked to make wedding dresses, gowns and other clothing.

Barno was born in Cleveland, the youngest of 10 children. She was a graduate of the AG Bell School for the Deaf in Cleveland.

In addition to her daughter, survivors include her husband of 43 years, William; another daughter, Jane Jones, of Oklahoma City, Okla.; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two sisters; and two brothers.

Services will be at 11 a.m. today at St. Augustine Catholic Church, 2486 W. 14th St., Cleveland.

Arrangements are by the Humenik Funeral Chapel in Brook Park.

© 2003 The Plain Dealer.