Elenore Evelyn Bedell passed away peacefully on September 1, 2023. She was 83 years old. Elenore was born on September 11, 1939 in San Francisco, California to parents Frank A. Kovacik and Madelyn Cassaglia Kovacik. She was a cherished mother, grandmother, sister-in-law, aunt, cousin and friend. Elenore grew up in the San Francisco Bay area and later attended Fresno State University. It is in Fresno that she met the love of her life, Jack Allen Bedell. They were married a few years later on October 21, 1958.

Elenore was a life-long learner and never stopped studying and learning new things. She received her Bachelors of Arts degree in English and teaching credential from California State University, Stanislaus later in her life. She continued to embrace learning new things and teaching throughout her life. Elenore also had a true passion for travel and was proud to share that she had traveled extensively throughout the world. She lived in the Philippines with her family for ten years and made lifelong memories there. She shared her love of travel with many as a business owner of the Travel Center in Modesto and Riverbank Travel. Her love of travel connected her to many people and she shared this love of travel with her children and grandchildren as well. Elenore enjoyed learning and traveling, but she was most proud of being a farmer and the place she loved most was her family’s almond and chicken ranch. She was the happiest when she was working outside at her ranch!

Elenore was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Allen Bedell and second husband Albert A. Miller and daughter Debra Lynn Bedell. She is survived by her daughter, Michelle Bedell Fitzgerald (Timothy), and son John Barry Bedell (Michelle). She leaves behind four granddaughters and three grandsons: Ian Fitzgerald, Clare Fitzgerald Chunn (Nathan), Grace Fitzgerald, Jack Fitzgerald, Breq Bedell Young (Matt), Troy Bedell and Tess Bedell. She leaves behind two great grandchildren, Callan and Lennon Chunn. Elenore is also survived by her sister-in-law, Merilyn (Bedell) Davis and cousin Anne Marie DaViggo.

A graveside burial service will be held on Thursday, September 28, 2023 at Burwood Cemetery in Escalon. Remembrances may be made to the Escalon Educational Foundation at 1520 Yosemite Ave., Escalon, CA 95320 or to your favorite charity.

The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader

The Riverbank (Calif.) News

Sept. 20, 2023