Eleonora M. Lafranchi

Eleonora Margaret LaFranchi October 5, 1912 to June 23, 2012 Eleonora Lafranchi passed away peacefully in Novato on June 23, 2012 after valiantly dealing with the effects of a stroke for three years. Eleonora's family was one of the early families to settle in Novato. She was the youngest of three children of Pio and Attilia Lafranchi and was born on October 5, 1912 in the family home in which she lived for 96 years. She died four months short of her 100th birthday. A very special celebration was being planned for her milestone birthday. Eleonora attended Novato Grammar School and San Rafael High School and graduated from Dominican College with a teaching degree in 1936. Her first teaching experience was in a one-room school house (Loma Alta School) located in Lucas Valley. After four years at Loma Alta, Eleonora accepted a position on the staff at Coleman School in San Rafael where she remained until her retirement in 1974. During her 40 years of teaching she touched many of her students' lives and numerous ones communicated with her for many years. She was very active in many civic as well as religious organizations including The Novato Improvement Club, the Novato Historical Guild (Membership Chair), the Republican Women's Club, Catholic Daughters of America (Charter Member), Retired Teachers Association, as well as a dedicated member of Our Lady's Prayer Group and Head of Our Lady of Loretto's Altar Society. She is survived by her niece Shirley Glashoff, and Theone Felder, wife of the late Joseph Felder, Eleonora's nephew as well as several grand nieces and nephews. In addition, Eleonora was a gracious lady and good friend to so many. She was a wonderful gardener and shared the bounty of her fruit and vegetable gardens as well as the beautiful array of her flowers with so many of her friends. There will be Visitation at Our Lady of Loretto Catholic Church on Thursday, July 5th from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM followed by a Vigil Service at 2:30 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Loretto Catholic Church on Friday, July 6th at 10:30 AM. Entombment will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in San Rafael where she will at last join her family members. Remembrances may be made in Eleonora's name to Our Lady of Loretto Catholic Church or to a favorite charity .