Eleanor Jenvey McFadden Redmond

"I've lived a life that's full, I've traveled each and every highway. But more, much more than this, I did it my way." Eleanor Jenvey McFadden Redmond passed away on May 14, 2018 after a long and accomplished life. Her indomitable spirit and zest for life live on in her children and grandchildren. Eleanor was born in Visalia, CA to Mel and Lottie Jenvey on February 19, 1923 and grew up with her brother Bud (Walter) in Lindsay, CA at the Mt. Whitney hotel, which was managed by her father. After graduating from Lindsay High School, she moved to San Francisco to attend St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing to become a registered nurse. During WWII, Eleanor was stationed in Oakland as an Ensign in the US Navy Nurse Corps and maintained fond memories of serving her country throughout her life. After the war, she married Harry (Henry) McFadden and had 5 children, her greatest joys in life. In 1958, Eleanor and her 5 children moved back to Lindsay. She continued her nursing career at Lindsay Hospital, working her way up to head of obstetrics and was later head of obstetrics at Tulare District Hospital. Aside from her own children, Eleanor would say her greatest achievement in life was delivering hundreds of babies over her career. Her family would laugh that there was nowhere in Tulare Country you could go with Eleanor without bumping into a family for whom she had delivered a baby and sometimes generations of babies. In 1974, she served as California Chairperson of NAACOG and in 1983, she traveled to the USSR with NAACOG to tour and study their maternity wards. She was a member of the Visalia chapter of PEO, involved in the Lindsay Hospital Guild, and awarded the Pinnacle Volunteer of the Year. In 2001, Eleanor married Tow (Milton) Redmond, a lifelong friend. Tow and Eleanor experienced 8 wonderful years together and their children loved the happiness the marriage brought to them both. Together they cruised the Panama Canal and went to Hawaii. Tow's influence on her was evident for the rest of her life as when you asked her how she was doing, the answer was always "I'm happy." Eleanor had an adventurous spirit, traveling to Rome, Vatican City, Australia, and an annual trip to Tahoe with a group of high school friends. She was creative and driven to learn new things, taking classes in pottery and knitting or cross-stitching Christmas gifts for her grandchildren. She made amazing peanut brittle at Christmas and there were never enough of her deviled eggs at Easter. Eleanor adored children and they loved her. She was an engaging storyteller who loved to laugh. Her life was blessed with her strong Catholic faith and loving family and friends. Eleanor was preceded in death by her parents Mel and Lottie Jenvey, brother Bud (Walter) Jenvey, husband Tow (Milton) Redmond, son Steven McFadden, and granddaughter Christina McFadden. She is survived by her children Patrick (Susan) McFadden, Annetta McFadden, Timothy (Diane) McFadden, Maureen (Sherman) Railsback, and Kevin McFadden; 8 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-granddaughter. The family would like to thank the caring staff at Quail Park and Quail Park Memory Care. Mass will be held at 9:30 am on May 24th at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Visalia. Graveside service will follow at Lindsay-Strathmore Cemetery. Condolences may be made to . Memorial donations may be made to Valley Children's Hospital, 9300 Valley Children's Place, Madera, CA 93636.

Eleanor Jenvey McFadden Redmond

February 19, 1923 - May 14, 2018