ELEANOR MAE DEHART (MARTIN)

On Friday, January 8, 2021, Eleanor Mae DeHart (Martin), beloved sister, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully in her home at the age of 93. Eleanor was born on October 23, 1927 in Bakersfield, CA to August and Louise Martin, and graduated from Bakersfield High School with the class of 1945. Following graduation, she studied Early Childhood Education at Bakersfield College, earning her A.A. in 1947, and ran a licensed private daycare facility in her home. After raising her two children, George and Janet, she returned to college and earned her B.A. in History and teaching credential from California State University, Bakersfield in 1971 and 1972 respectively. Eleanor then taught special education with the Kern County Superintendent of Schools until her retirement in 1987.

Eleanor loved to dance and listen to music, especially to big band jazz and her grandchildren’s recitals. She enjoyed staying physically active by walking and taking fitness classes until the 2020 pandemic led to cancellations. In her free time, she was known to bird watch in her backyard and to appreciate the beauty of hummingbirds, butterflies, and flowers, especially African Violets and Irises. She spent many days caring for her grandchildren, and eventually great-grandchildren, and never missed an event—from dance and music recitals to graduations.

Eleanor was preceded in death by her father, August, her mother, Louise, and her brother August Jr. She is survived by her sister, Mary (John); son, George (Kathleen); daughter, Janet (Gregg); grandchildren, Rachel (Kyle) and Andrew; and great-grandchildren, Joshua and Lana, in addition to many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Public visitation for Eleanor will be held on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at Greenlawn Southwest Chapel on Panama Lane, from 11:00am-1:00pm. Services private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Platelet Disorder Support Association (www.pdsa.org) in honor of Eleanor.