It is with sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, Madeline Eisenhart. She left us peacefully at the age of 98, on the 76th anniversary of her marriage to Arlin Eisenhart, who predeceased her in 1987.
Madeline was born in Los Angeles on July 16, 1917 to Italian immigrants Pete and Maria Cravea. Life was a struggle for the family due to Pete’s failing health and his death when Madeline was nine. In order to keep her family together, Maria ran a small neighborhood grocery store with the help of her three children, who worked hard, both before and after school, to keep things going. It was there at age 13 that Madeline met Arlin Eisenhart who had an after-school job in the adjacent gas station. Madeline worked as a bookkeeper after high school. She and Arlin were married on Easter Sunday, April 9, 1939. After the birth of her children, Madeline became a full time homemaker, living in Los Angeles until 1955 when they made the move to Fullerton. In 1998 she left southern California and moved to Merced to be near her son, Wayne. Her 18 years in Merced brought many new friendships, the birth of 4 great grandchildren, with one pending.
Madeline lived through trying times in her long life: the early childhood privation, graduating from high school at the height of The Depression, the stress and worry for family members during World War II, significant periods of ill health as a young woman, and a long widowhood. But in spite of all this, or perhaps because of her life experiences, she was remarkably resilient.
She is mourned by daughter Gail (the late Ted) Belytschko of Winnetka IL and son Wayne (Vicky) Eisenhart of Merced CA.
Grandchildren: Peter Belytschko (Elizabeth Khalil), Nicole Szafranski (Jim), Justine Wegner (Aaron), Sarah Eisenhart (Esteban Alvear) and Aron (Amie Spitler).
Great grandchildren: Madeline Szafranski, Henry Szafranski, Noah Wegner and Natalie Wegner.
Her sister-in-law Trudy Eisenhart and many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her parents, her husband Arlin, sister Eda Cravea, brother Louis Cravea, and many sisters and brothers-in-law. The family also wishes to express their gratitude for the care of Terrie’s TLC Senior Care caregivers: Sonia, Pat, Bernice, Lupe, Charlotte, Kim, Sylvia and Pai, whose devotion and friendship have been greatly appreciated.
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