Jeri Dansky

Well, this is sweet. The NYT is writing obits for “remarkable people whose deaths, beginning in 1851, went unreported in The Times.”

And the one from a few days ago is about Eleanor Abbott, who created Candy Land “to distract children who were suffering in the hospital during a polio outbreak.”

I remember Candy Land from many many years ago. And wow: “Today, more than 60 percent of households with children under 5 own the game.”

Gift Article: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/13/obituaries/eleanor-abbott-overlooked.html?unlocked_article_code=1.TlA.7N1q.__RbNCpZIFVv&smid=url-share

#RIP #suicide #polio

Overlooked No More: Eleanor Abbott, the Creator of Candy Land

She invented the game nearly 80 years ago to distract children who were suffering in the hospital during a polio outbreak.

The New York Times
Mar 16 at 8:20pmWeb
Show threadIcarosityMar 16
@jeridansky There was a time when it was hugely popular in our household. We've joked that it 's a gateway drug, I mean game 😉, to D&D and other table top role playing games.
Show threadFrom Robin with LoveMar 16

@nancywisser @jeridansky

For me it was a gateway drug to my sugar addiction. That board always looked so tasty😂

Show threadWideEyedCurious 🇺🇸 💙 🇺🇦 & 🇨🇦Mar 17
@jeridansky This was my favorite board game when I was little.
Show threadNimona RESISTS3d ago
@jeridansky There is only 1 choice to make in the game, and only if you land on a specific space. Other than that it's totally random. Which really bothered me, but it does work well for teaching things like taking turns and following rules.