Eleanor Patricia Mahler

1925 - 2014

Mahler, Eleanor Patricia PACIFIC BEACH -- Eleanor Patricia Mahler died peacefully of natural causes at her Pacific Beach home on December 11, 2014 at the age of 89. Eleanor Meehan was born September 17, 1925 in Jersey City, New Jersey. She was the youngest of four children of Irish immigrants James and Catherine Meehan. Upon graduation from St. Aloysius High School in Jersey City, Eleanor worked as a secretary during the 1940s in New York City -- first for Johns Manville and later for Culligan Zeolite. She recalled these years fondly for great big band music, dances at the USO, and wonderful friendships. In 1949, Eleanor married Warren James Mahler in Jersey City, embarking on what would become 59 years of a loving and committed marriage until his passing in 2008. Together they raised five children. Their early years of married family life were spent in Glen Ridge, New Jersey. In 1959, Eleanor and her family moved to California, where she enjoyed the next 55 years in La Jolla and Pacific Beach. Eleanor was an active member of Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Church in La Jolla and a volunteer for Stella Maris Academy, Las Socias Nuevas, the La Jolla Public Library, and the Pacific Beach Public Library. She and Warren enjoyed travels to Europe, cruises to Alaska and the Caribbean, and visits to family. But, her most relished travel memories were of annual trips to San Francisco -- where she definitely left a bit of her heart. Our beloved mother and friend has passed to her next life. She was predeceased by her parents, sister Catherine, and brothers Lawrence and Patrick. She is survived by her children William of Las Vegas; Raymond of San Diego; Joan (John) of Portland, OR; Peter of Missoula, MT; and Anne of Portland, OR; and by her niece and nephews. Our family is deeply grateful for the support of The Elizabeth Hospice and of her caregivers, Leonora Browning and Helen Flack. A Visitation will be held at Pacific Beach Chapel, 4710 Cass Street, on Thursday, December 18, 2014 at 6:00. A funeral Mass will be held at Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 7713 Girard Avenue, La Jolla, on Friday, December 19, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be sent to L'Arche USA (a not-for-profit organization serving people with intellectual disabilities) at 1130 SW Morrison Street, Suite 230, Portland, OR 97205, or at www.larcheusa.org.