Eleanor Gruidl

Eleanor passed away peacefully on 1-11-12 after an extraordinary, dynamic life. She was the youngest of nine children, born on the farm outside of Witauga South Dakota. Her red hair and pink cheeks earned her the nickname "rosebud" which later became "Buddy". As a kid she learned to sew and bake and ride her ponyskills that earned her acclaim throughout her life. The Depression brought her to California. There she lied about her age to get work. And work she did: nanny, deli clerk, grocery checker, realtor, retailer. In 1942 she met and married Bernard "Bernie" Gruidl and settled in Oakland. Together they raised three children, Bernard Jr, Mary (Cooney/Hohf), and Elizabeth (Kaufman/Moore). In 1958 Eleanor leveraged her talent for making dance recital costumes for my sister and I and started Encore Theatrical Supply. Supplying costumes, leotards, tiaras, tutus sequins, clown noses and feather boas to the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond A hat for Sammy Davis Jr, a tutu for Bertha the Elephant at the Nugget in Reno, a sequin doctor coat for "Ben Casey" Vince Edwards, to name a few. The business continues to flourish today. Eleanor's life in Wickenburg began when my dad's employer Benner Nauman moved their plant from Oakland to it's Wickenburg location near the airport in the 60's. Both mom and dad loved their Wickenburg life. During the 30 years Eleanor lived in Wickenburg she designed and had built 4 homes, all with a view of Vulture Peak, and had an interior decorating business. When she was not busy with house plans or decorating other people's houses she was out riding her horse. Las Damas riding group was a great joy to her. From being that amazing "Pigeon" to wearing her rodeo clown outfit, to playing Mrs Santa at the Christmas parties she enjoyed herself. She was an enthusiastic Gold Rush Days participant. Eleanor wore her fabulous rhinestone equestrian costumes and rode her beloved Buck in the parades as well as serving as parade judge other years. Mom travelled the world, Europe, Mexico, Hawaii, even China. In the years after my dad's death she moved to Sun City West and continued to travel with companions John and then Wally. Her last party was Christmas eve when she had a delightful event serving dinner and her delicious apple pie, playing Christmas carols on the organ and having a lovely time with her granddaughter Eleanor, myself and her dear neighbors . She lived life well. Eleanor is survived by her children and beloved grand children, Brian Cooney, Rebecca Cooney, Eleanor Cooney and Thomas Cooney and a very great grandson William