Alice Lenore Kidwell Opalach

Lenore Opalach was born September 1, 1920 in Minneapolis, MN to Roy and Alice Kidwell. She passed away March 6, 2011 in Bakersfield, CA after a short illness. She graduated from Cathedral High School in St. Cloud MN, Saint Benedict's College in St. Joseph, MN, received her master's degree at Southern Oregon College in Ashland, OR and her P.H.D at the University of Oregon in Eugene. She was a WAC during World War II and earned the rank of First Lieutenant. Lenore was a very active member of the Democratic Party during her many years in Southern Oregon. She taught at the elementary level, then later at the secondary and college levels with an emphasis on Theater. She taught from 1956 to 1966 at Medford High School in Medford, OR and, upon receiving her doctorate degree, she taught at Arizona Western College in Yuma, AZ and William Paterson University in Paterson, NJ. After retirement, she was the public information director for the American Cancer Society in Northern New Jersey. She moved to Salinas, CA in 1986 and remained active as a member of the Western Stage. She served as the president of The League of Woman Voters, was a member of the Salinas Library Commission and was involved in the literacy program served faithfully as a lector for her Sacred Heart Parish. Because of her contributions to the city of Salinas, she was recognized by former mayor Anna Caballero before she moved to Bakersfield in 2006. Lenore is survived by her three sisters, Patricia Zapp - Missoula, MT, Rita Templeton - Charlotte, NC and Kathleen Marcotte - Union, Ky and her first husband Stan Zapell of Ashland, OR. Also surviving are her five children: Daryl Lyon (Jerry) - Greenfield, CA; Kathy Krouse - Grants Pass, OR; Patty Beard (John) - Bakersfield, CA; John Zapell (Sheri) - Richfield, UT; and Jim Zapell (Tracy) - West Linn OR; Grandchildren: Amanda Lebow (Dennis), Brenda Tollefson (Aaron), Stacey Krouse, Lori Evans (Rich), John Krouse (April), Barbara Galland, Karen Mayberry, Debi Olivas (Andres) and Michaela Zapell; Great Grandchildren: Kaela Lebow, Brayden and Kylee Tollefson, Blake Beck, Adam, Cayden and Colton Evans, Hunter Krouse, Julianna and Nickolas Galland, Christopher Cervantes and Gabriella Mayberry and Coleman, Carson and Cobey Olivas and many nieces and nephews. Besides her parents, Lenore is preceded in death by her sister Mary Jane Bertler, her brother John Kidwell, husband Stan Opalach and son-in-law Garry Mayberry. She led an extraordinarily full life and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. The family would like to express a special thank you to the staff of Pinewood Glen Retirement Home and to Mercy Downtown Hospital's Emergency and ICU Staff for all the care and compassion given our mother in her time of need. The mass of Resurrection will be celebrated Friday, March 25th, at 3:00 p.m. at St. Phillip's Catholic Church.