Obituary of Eleanor A. Reynolds

Born and raised in Oakland, California, Eleanor trained for a nursing career at UC Berkeley before working as a Public Health Nurse in Santa Rosa. It was there that she met and married Lyle G. Reynolds, a high school teacher. In 1947, they moved to Santa Barbara, where Lyle became a professor of Health Education at UCSB and, ultimately, Dean of Students until the early 1970's. Though a mother to eight children she still found time to be an activist in many facets of Santa Barbara life. She volunteered for years with the American Red Cross and 15 years for Meals on Wheels, serving as Board President from 1976-78. She was on the board of the Ombudsman from 1986 to 1997. From 1983 to 2002, she was on the Board of the Laguna Cottages, low-income housing in Santa Barbara. Eleanor was instrumental in the beginning of Laguna Cottages. Her passion was to help seniors with housing and health. Eleanor led a very active life. She was awarded Mother of the Year in 1986 for her dedication as a mother. She and Lyle taught their children to play tennis and they often played together as a family. She continued to play into her 80s. In the earlier days, she and Lyle played badminton tournaments. Being an avid reader, she thoroughly enjoyed her book group discussions. She and Lyle were regulars at the YMCA, where they made deep connections with many other exercise buddies. Eleanor is survived by one sister (Barbara Milliff, 8 children (Sally McElravey, Richard Reynolds, Susan Reynolds, Bill Reynolds, Barbara Reynolds, Karen Nivak, Robert Reynolds, Mary Anne Maynard), 7 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Eleanor's ready laugh and joy of life attracted many to her. She will be greatly missed. A Mass will be celebrated Friday, November 30, at 10:00AM in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel at the Old Mission Santa Barbara. A celebration of her life will be held @ 2p.m. Saturday, December 1, at The Mosher Alumni House, UCSB. Contact Mr. Israel Velazquez, funeral counselor at McDermott Crockett Mortuary for questions about her life celebration. In Lieu of flowers donations may be made to S.B. Braille Institute or Laguna Cottages Housing for Seniors of S.B.