Eleanore J.M. Garcia

Born June 8, 1920 in Los Angeles, CA, Eleanore let go of life after a long and courageous battle with emphysema on July 1, 2006 in Harbor City, CA at the age of 86. Beloved mother of Janice Garcia-Diaz and Shelley Garcia Johnston, Eleanore is survived by sister, Aileen Hayes of Nampa, Idaho, grandsons Rene “Rocky” Diaz and Kevin Johnston, sons-in-law Ronald Johnston and Vaughn Williams, niece and nephews, Cheryl Wear and Bill Hayes, Joe and Paul Brown, and Vincent and Michael Ayala and their families.

Eleanore was raised in Hawthorne, CA, graduating from Leuzinger High School in 1937. She worked until she fell in love with childhood friend, Cornelius “Corn” Garcia. They eloped to Yuma, Arizona and were married August 14, 1946. In 1978, her beloved Corn preceded her in the relinquishment of life at age 53. After the loss of her husband, she put her beautiful smile and extraordinary personality to work in the retail cosmetic industry for the May Company and was honored several times with employee awards including a trip to Europe. In 1986, she decided to explore a life in Idaho and was welcomed by her sister and her family. While she continued to work in the retail industry, she spent many hours doing volunteer work and traveling throughout Idaho. While exploring the beauty of Idaho, Eleanore continued to hone her talents as a landscape photographer started years before when Corn gave her an Olympus camera. Taking thousands of photos, Eleanore won the praise of many and enjoyed the opportunity of seeing her work in various shows and publications.

As her health declined, Eleanore was taken on her last big trip lovingly referred to by her daughters as “the Road Trip.” During that adventure with her girls, she enjoyed the sights along the highway, the bright lights of Las Vegas, and even managed to survive a major car breakdown in the desert. Her girls settled her into Harbor Terrace Assisted Living in San Pedro, CA until she was moved into Crestview Guest Home just doors away from her daughter, Janice.

Her family and friends will miss Eleanore. All who knew and loved her will remember her smile and enthusiasm about life.

After cremation, Eleanore’s life will be celebrated on Friday, July 28th at 2:00 P.M. Rice Mortuary, 5310 Torrance Blvd, Torrance, CA 90503 (310-792-7599). The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Legacy Foundations/Circle of Friends www.americanlegacy.org that focuses on getting people off of the tobacco habit. Shelley and Janice thought it representative of what could have been a much longer life for Eleanore had she not smoked.