Eleanor Ruth Savay

July 19, 1926 – December 6, 2016

Eleanor Ruth Savay was born July 19, 1926 in San Francisco, California and passed away in Mountain View, California on December 6, 2016 surrounded by family. Her father Edwin Harold Hesselberg was a renowned mechanical engineer and founder of Hesselberg Keesee & Associates Elevator Consulting, Inc. in 1963 after 44 years with Otis Elevator Company. The company survives today. Her mother, Isabelle Hesselberg was a celebrated San Francisco concert pianist and philanthropist.

As an only child she developed a strong sense of independence that would shape her outlook on life. Eleanor loved music and people and found it greatly rewarding to help others. She had intelligence, determination, class, character, a quick wit and loved to joke around with a twinkle in her eyes. She had a lifelong desire to learn and grow, always giving back to her community and friends. Her courage and strength to overcome life’s challenges continues to inspire many who knew her.

Eleanor graduated from Lowell High School in San Francisco in 1943. She was an exceptionally gifted and acclaimed cello soloist at a very early age studying under Boris Blinder, first cellist with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra. She won praise for her artistry, warmth of expression, flawless technique, poise and charm. She received numerous honors and sponsorships and performed regularly for the San Francisco Conservatory of Music Chamber Orchestra, the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, the University of California Symphony Orchestra, Santa Monica Symphony Orchestra, Los Angeles Women’s Symphony Orchestra, Los Angeles State College Orchestra, and professionally with the CBS Orchestra and the Pro Musica Trio performing across the country.

She worked her way through college while studying at UC Berkeley and held many jobs such as the May Company stock room, managing her aunt’s antique store and as a private detective. She earned her teaching credential at Los Angeles State College and taught elementary school for nearly 30 years in the Los Angeles Unified School District starting in the Watts area of Los Angeles and a year in Guadalajara, Mexico. She would often buy shoes or lunches for disadvantaged children in her classroom.

Eleanor met her husband of 32 years, Bert Savay, a former Navy man and young civil engineering student at USC at a party in Los Angeles and soon fell in love. They were married in 1962 until Bert’s passing in 1994. They had two children, Albert Charles Savay III and Edwin Harold Savay and moved from Torrance to Glendale California in 1974. As a homemaker, she took great pleasure in driving her children and their friends to all their activities; baseball, football, golf, music lessons, paper routes, and scouting. She encouraged her children to try new things and to develop many interests. Her dedication to their upbringing and education helped them mature into fine citizens. She was a dedicated wife and supported her husband’s career while making the home festive for every holiday. She never forgot a birthday. She also found time to volunteer in the Glendale, California Chapter of the American Association of University Women.

She moved to the Woodlands, Texas in 1992 to follow Bert’s engineering career and eventually settled in to the local community. There, she became a dedicated volunteer and philanthropist to many groups including leadership positions in the American Association of University Women - Montgomery County, Texas Branch where she held many positions including Vice President for the Educational Foundation and Legal Advocacy Fund, The Houston Symphony League North, League of Women Voters, Friends of the Library, The Performing Arts Council League of North Houston, Wellington Society and Woodlands Art League. She believed strongly in supporting young women and raised money for and awarded scholarships to college women and professionals who were discriminated against in the workplace. She was very proud of being named the 1997 Woman of Distinction by The Montgomery County Women’s Council of Organizations. Eleanor held elegant fundraisers in her home for her organizations with concert pianists, harpists and opera singers and fabulous spreads of food. She always loved throwing a “soiree”. She especially enjoyed hosting the local book club at her home.

In 2012 she moved to The Webster House in Palo Alto, CA to be close to her two sons and her grandchildren. She spent many happy hours surrounded by family and her grandchildren whom she loved dearly. She particularly enjoyed every holiday and birthday. In her later years she focused on the beauty of the details of everyday life and people using her keen mind and vision to find enjoyment.

She is survived by her two loving sons, Albert Charles Savay III, his wife Nury, and their two children Gavin Charles Savay and Calista Alena Savay of San Carlos, CA and Edwin Harold Savay, MD of Capitola, CA. She is also survived by her cousin Johnathon Kraut. She was very close to her husband’s family and is survived by Dorothy Savay, Alysha Webb, Kelly Webb (Sally), Julie Savay (George) and John Savay (Romana).

Arrangements under the direction of Woodlawn Funeral Home, Colma, CA.