Eleanor Therese Beil

Eleanor, the oldest of six children,was born on November 25, 1936 in Oakland, CA to Mary Margaret and John R. Brennan. She graduated from San Joaquin Memorial and earned a bachelor of science degree in nursing at the University of San Francisco..She had the distinction of being one of seventeen students in the pioneer, or first ever nursing class, at U.S.F.

Upon graduation in 1958, Eleanor married Dr. Marvin Clemens Beil. The young couple started their medical careers at Charity Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana, and Eleanor later taught nursing classes at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis. Eleanor was bright and capable in whatever she chose to do, but raising six sons was her greatest pride and joy. She proved she could wear many hats and always with a great deal of love. For the benefit of her sons, Eleanor was actively involved with the Dry Creek 4.H. Club as she and the boys raised prize-winning sheep and dairy goats. Additionally, she was a longstanding member of the University of California Master Food Preservers and spent years judging food preservation at the Fresno Fair.

Remarkably, Eleanor was the first and most long-standing employee at her husband's medical practice, Central California Ear, Nose and Throat. In her 50-year stretch at the office, she was best known and highly regarded for designing, building and maintaining the organization's first website. She was also able to provide similar contributions to the California Medical Auxiliary Alliance at both the state and local level.

When the last of her sons went off to college in 1992, Eleanor embarked on a new venture as a volunteer, executive board member and then president of the San Joaquin Valley Town Hall. She stepped up in whatever capacity she was needed, but she became widely known and appreciated for the organization's website design and maintenance.

Eleanor was predeceased by her son Michael, her sister Barbara and brother Robert. She is survived by her loving husband of 65 years, Marvin Beil, M.D.; sons Matthew, Timothy, Andrew (Sandra), Peter (Anita) and Stephen (Manny); five wonderful grandchildren, Brennan, Julienne, Christina, Braydon, and Ericka; siblings, Mark (Marcia), Patricia and Maureen.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Eleanor’s loving memory to the San Joaquin Valley Town Hall. Donors may either send a check to P.O. Box 5149, Fresno, CA 93755-5149 or make a donation on the website: www.valleytownhall.com