Eleanor Mae Blumenthal
OBITUARY
Eleanor Mae Blumenthal, 87, passed away on May 18, 2026, at Good Samaritan Hospital. She lived a life devoted to faith, family, service, and community.
Born in Wilmington, Delaware, to Aubrey Eugene Deakyne and Edna (Reed) Deakyne, Eleanor grew up with her sister, Jane, who was 13 months younger. After graduating from the Delaware Hospital School of Nursing, she and a classmate drove across the country to begin their nursing careers at UCSF. While active in the singles group at Temple United Methodist Church, she met Robert “Bob” Blumenthal, whom she married on November 7, 1964.
Bob’s career as a CPA brought them to San Jose in 1967, where they raised two children in Almaden Valley. Eleanor was an active homemaker, supporting her children’s education, sports, and music activities.
An accomplished pianist with perfect pitch, Eleanor loved music throughout her life. She sang in the church choir, accompanied musical groups, and especially enjoyed organ music and classical radio. She also found joy in gardening roses and orchids, sharing her blooms with family and friends each spring. During baseball season, Eleanor was enthusiastic Giants fan. She was a faithful member of United Methodist Women and served on numerous church committees over the years.
Eleanor is survived by her son, Keith Blumenthal; daughter, Diane Villegas; and grandchildren, Carlos and Alisa Villegas. She was preceded in death by her husband of 36 years, Bob Blumenthal, and her sister, Jane Deakyne Brown.
A Celebration of Life will be held on July 18, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Los Gatos United Methodist Church, 111 Church Street, followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions in her memory be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research at https://www.michaeljfox.org/