Eleanor Honzik Christensen

Eleanor Knickerbocker Honzik Christensen passed away peacefully in her Fresno home on October 12, 2022. She was born on October 1, 1938, in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Charles and Marjorie Honzik. In the aftermath of the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941, her family left Hawaii for California. Both her parents were professors of Psychology and took positions at the University of California, Berkeley, where Eleanor and her younger sister, Elizabeth, grew up.

Eleanor attended UC Davis for two years, then transferred to UC Berkeley, graduating Summa Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, as well as a teaching credential. In 1960 she married L. Peter Christensen, whom she had met at UC Davis. They settled in Fresno, where Peter began work as a farm advisor for the University of California. Over the next eight years they had three sons. A loving wife and mother, she devoted herself to raising her boys. At a suitable time in their development, she went back to college—this time at Fresno State—where she received a credential in Special Education. For over twenty years, she worked as a Special Ed Resource Specialist in the Sanger Unified School District, where her students appreciated her for helping them reach their academic potential.

Eleanor’s childhood hobby was collecting butterflies; she also had a particular fondness for ladybugs. She was artistically creative and had a keen sense of beauty. In adulthood this expressed itself in the design and adornment of her home, which featured crafts of her own making. One of her favorite pastimes was playing word games with friends. She loved animals, especially cats.

In 2003 Eleanor and Peter were received into the Orthodox Church at St. Peter’s Serbian Orthodox Church in Fresno, where they remained active members. At the Circle of Sisters Fancy Luncheon held at the church every year, Eleanor was known for her magnificent table settings, based on themes of her choosing.

After their retirement, she and her husband traveled to places around the world, often with their children, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren. Spending time with family was a source of much happiness for Eleanor. She cared deeply for her family members, suffering along with them during difficult times, and rejoicing in their successes.

The most important part of Eleanor’s life was her relationships—with God, her family members, her students, and her friends. She made friends with people everywhere she went, from elementary school through college, from her church to the school where she taught, and from among the wives of her husband’s colleagues and friends. She stayed in touch with those she could, even as the infirmities of old age limited her ability to travel.

The last group of people with whom she made friends was comprised of the extraordinary team of caregivers who helped her during her final years. These women, together with her housekeeper, showed her great Christian love and compassion at the time she needed it most. She reciprocated their love, forming yet more bonds to last for eternity.

As to her personality, Eleanor could variously be described as vivacious, spunky, and sharp-witted, with a marvelous, unguarded sense of humor. Genuineness and honesty were vital to her, which further endeared her to her family and friends. She had a unique and special charm that was captured in her heart-warming smile.

Eleanor is preceded by her husband, Peter. She is survived by her sons, John (Fr. Damascene), Robert, and Scott; her daughters-in-law, Bonnie and Tova; her grandchildren, Jonathan, Emily, and Melina, and Melina’s mother, Lorraine; her sister, Elizabeth Conlisk; and her godparents, Ron and Radmilla Tarailo.

A memorial Service for Eleanor will be held at St. Peter the Apostle Serbian Orthodox Church, 3502 North First St., Fresno, on Tuesday, October 18, at 7:00 pm.

A Funeral Service will be held at St. Peter the Apostle Orthodox Church, on Wednesday, October 19, at 10:00 a.m., followed by the internment at Belmont Memorial Park, 201 North Teilman Ave., Fresno. After the internment, a memorial luncheon will be served back at St. Peter the Apostle Orthodox Church, in the church hall.

Contributions in Eleanor’s name may be sent to the St. Herman of Alaska Monastery, P.O. Box 70, Platina, CA, 96076.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.stephensandbean.com for the Christensen family.