Eleanor Beldon Komet, PhD
April 6, 1936 – February 17, 2021
A Life Given in Love
Those who knew Dr. Eleanor Beldon Komet professionally knew her as a passionate psychologist who genuinely loved her work and cared deeply for her clients. Some may not know how a volunteer opportunity at the Ecumenical Center nearly 45 years ago played such a pivotal role in her journey.
In the mid-1970s, Eleanor was a busy stay-at-home mom who volunteered countless hours for a wide range of community organizations, including the PTAs of her four children. It was at one of those PTA meetings that she met and became fast friends with The Center’s Rev. Dr. Don Anderson and his wife. Eleanor’s energetic spirit and Dr. Anderson’s persuasive style soon had her volunteering part time at The Center, planning and managing community programming. She was awed by The Center counseling staff’s inspirational, meaningful work. In time, she decided she wanted to do more to make a difference.
That set Eleanor on the course of pursuing her Master’s degree in Psychology at Trinity University, and soon assuming a new position at The Center as a Licensed Professional Counselor. Over the next decade, her focus was on providing a safe, warm, non-judgmental space for people to find healing and hope. She would often say that everyone could benefit from counseling at some point – or points – in their lives.
Eleanor’s thirst for learning and growing was never ending. As soon as her children were all off to college or on their own, she returned to her studies, leaving The Center to dedicate the next 7 years of her life to pursuing her PhD in Psychology. She was an inspiration to her children – beginning the next phase of her mental health career as Dr. Komet – at the age of 58.
For the next 20 years, Eleanor ran a private practice – groups and adolescents were where she felt she did some of her best work. Throughout her career she was highly respected by her colleagues and dedicated to her work in mental health, presenting continuing education workshops and serving in regional and national leadership roles with organizations such as the American Group Psychotherapy Association (AGPA).
Eleanor Beldon Komet was generous in her spirit toward people – a gift she was able to share with so many among us. The Center is blessed to have been among those she touched during her lifetime.