Eleanor Mackey

Eleanor Mackey, age 83, of Vacaville, CA, died Tuesday, May 22 of pneumonia after a decade long struggle with Alzheimer's Disease. Eleanor was born on August 27, 1928, in Visalia, CA, to the late Harold and Margaret Buchter. She was reared in Watsonville, CA where she graduated from high school in 1946. She attended the University of California, Berkeley, graduating in 1950 with a BA in Recreation and an emphasis in music. Eleanor was a member of the University chorus and symphony orchestra, where she played violin. She met her husband, the late Richard Mackey, at a Visalia Oaks minor league baseball game during a summer visit back to Visalia with extended family, where Richard still lived with his family during the summer. They realized they were both recreation majors at UC Berkeley. After a lengthy courtship, they married in 1953 and were married 55 years until Richard's passing in 2009. Eleanor began her career teaching 2nd grade in Richmond, CA, and also taught in Watsonville and Dixon. In 1965, she and her family moved to Davis where she eventually became the Director of Foreign Admissions at UC Davis until her retirement in 1990. Eleanor loved teaching and was especially proud of being able to help so many appreciative foreign students attend UCD. She was an avid reader and also enjoyed countless hours playing bridge with her husband and friends. She was very well liked by friends and colleagues and loved deeply by her children and grandchildren. Eleanor spent her early retirement years traveling the world with her husband, visiting Egypt, Russia, China, and many European countries. They loved the beach and enjoyed many quality vacations with family and friends at Pismo Beach, CA, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and Hawaii. Eleanor is survived by her two children, Carol Mackey Federighi of Pleasanton, CA, and her husband Bob, and Steven Mackey of Sacramento, CA, and his wife Tonia. She is also survived by four grandchildren: Ryan, Robert and Caroline Federighi of Pleasanton and Savannah Sterpe-Mackey of Sacramento. In lieu of flowers or memorial gifts, the family is requesting that any donations be sent to the Davis Public Library, 315 East 14th Street Davis, CA 95616. A memorial service/viewing will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 29, at Wiscombe Funeral Home, 116 D Street, Davis, CA. Interment will be at the Davis Cemetery District for immediate family only.

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Tuesday, May 29, 2012

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