Eleanor Marie McCall

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and believer in Jesus Christ, Eleanor (Marie) Todd McCall passed away on January 30, 2018 at the age of 92. Born to German immigrants, Alfred & Martha Bahlkow, in St. Louis, Missouri, she spent her early years in the back of their German bakery and surrounded by a large extended family that included many aunts & uncles. While Eleanor was still a young child, her family relocated to Seattle, Washington, hoping for greater opportunity during the depression years. Seattle then became her life long home.

In her young adult years, Eleanor was affectionately called Sonnie by friends and family alike. One of the things she especially loved reminiscing about during this season in her life was her time working as secretary to a high ranking officer at Sand Point Naval Air Station during and following WWII.

Meeting her first husband, David Todd, in the time of love and laughter following the war, and giving birth to their two children, Eleanor’s life was on a happy path that came to an abrupt halt on the event of David’s untimely death, leaving her a widow while still in her twenties. It was at this time that Eleanor met the Lord as neighbors reached out to her, inviting her to church and showing her the love of Christ. That was a faith she never deviated from. Left with two young children to raise, Eleanor eventually returned to the University of Washington to complete her undergraduate and master’s degrees in Speech Pathology, enjoying many years of creative and useful service in the Seattle Public Schools as a speech and hearing therapist.

One of the great blessings of her life was her subsequent marriage to Frank C. McCall. Together they enjoyed 48 rich years of marriage together, loving their joined families, serving their church body (University Presbyterian Church) in many unique ways, and enjoying many shared interests together. Their marriage of support and encouragement to each other was a great example to all of us!

Eleanor will be remembered for her love of life and adventurous spirit, her long time faith in Jesus Christ as her Savior, her creativity and gift of hospitality, and by a life that enriched many!

She is survived by daughter Nancy Grindall, son Mike Todd, stepsons Frank McCall Jr. and John McCall, and stepdaughter Patti McCall and their spouses. In addition Eleanor was the proud grandmother of 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, with more to come!

A memorial service celebrating her life will be held to at University Presbyterian Church on Thursday, February 15 at 11:00 a.m., with a reception to follow. In consideration of Eleanor’s service to, and love of UPC, along with her active interest in supporting overseas mission work, contributions in her memory may be made to University Presbyterian Church’s Global Outreach ministry at upc.org/give.