Eleanor E. Jones Kendall, BHS 1930
Eleanor E. Kendall 1913 ~ 2012 DEL MAR -- On March 6, 2012, San Diego County lost a notable, long time educator. Ms. Eleanor Kendall, 98 years old and a resident of Del Mar for more than 70 years, passed away at Palomar Medical Center. Eleanor, who was known to her friends as "Jonesy," was the loving wife of George Johnston Kendall, who passed away in 1993. Eleanor and George were married for 51 years. Mr. Kendall was the well-respected, long time pharmacist of the Del Mar Drug Store.
Ms. Kendall was born in Cheney, Washington in 1913 and came to Burbank, California with her parents, Ina May and C.J. Jones, in 1926. She graduated from Burbank Senior High School and received a Bachelor's degree from the University of California at Los Angeles. She went on to earn a Master's degree in Education from the University of Southern California. Eleanor began her teaching career at Escondido Union High School in 1937 and served in the Ground Observer Corps, Air Defense Command, U.S. Air Force during World War II.
Eleanor entered the San Diego Unified School District as a teacher and counselor at the newly built Mission Bay High School in 1953. She was promoted to Vice- Principal at Clairemont High School when it opened in 1958. Always looking for new educational challenges, in 1963, Ms. Kendall was appointed the first Dean of Students at the new Mesa Community College when it began on the campus of Kearny High School. After 37 years as an educator, Eleanor retired in 1974 to fully enjoy her Del Mar beach house with George.
Swimming year round in the ocean was part of their active retirement live. Ms. Kendall was a petite person but had a huge heart. Her love of education, enthusiastic and optimistic personality was a perfect fit for being a teacher, counselor and dean of students. She impressed other administrators in the community college system with her ability to relate to both staff and students. Eleanor was commended for her worthwhile, innovative ideas to improve educational services. She received great satisfaction in encouraging and aiding students to achieve basic learning skills and to pursue their ambition in higher education. Her students could see that she truly cared for them and appreciated that she saw the best in them when others doubted their abilities. Many will fondly remember those quiet moments with Ms. Kendall where she would sincerely listen to their personal issues or learning problems. A humble person, Eleanor never really knew how much her encouragement and support meant to her students.
Ms. Kendall was a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma, an honorary educational society and the public service Altrusa International Club of San Diego. She was a life member of the California Parent Teachers Association and the UCLA Alumni Association. Eleanor was an active member of the P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization) Sisterhood, Chapter PS of Del Mar (provides educational opportunities for women), the San Diego Administrators Association, and the Zlac Rowing Club of San Diego. Eleanor and George enjoyed their time exercising at the Magdalena Ecke Gymnastic Center -YMCA and contributed to its development.
Eleanor is survived by her niece, Pamela and Eugene Weber, and their children. She is also survived by nephews, George and Elizabeth Kendall and their children, David and Kathy Kendall and their children, Thomas Kendall and his children, and Eugene Kendall. The passing of Eleanor has greatly impacted Patricia Clardy Williams of San Marcos, a long-time family friend, who provided Jonesy loving comfort and assistance in her later years. In memory of Ms. Kendall, donations can be made to the YWCA of San Diego County, 1012 C Street, San Diego, CA 92101 and the Del Mar Library, 1309 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar, CA 92014. No public services are planned.
Published in North County Times on March 18, 2012
Alvan Irving Beck, BHS 1950
