ellierandol

Ellie Randol, doing what she loved – at work at the Cast-Off.

ELEANOR “ELLIE” RANDOL – November 2, 1920 – July 17, 2012

Ellie Randol died on July 17, 2012, at her home in Mammoth Lakes.  She was 91. Ellie was born in Kingsburg, California to Eli & Emma Broline on November 2, 1920.  She grew up in Kingsburg and graduated from Kingsburg High School in 1937.  She received her B.A. degree from Fresno State College in 1941.  She held a variety of jobs in the field of Education, the first of which was in Bakersfield, CA for 8 years as an elementary school teacher and counselor.  During her years in Bakersfield, she took a 2 year leave of absence during World War II to work for the American Red Cross at a U.S. Navy Hospital in Farragut, Idaho.  Her next job took her to Long Beach, CA where she spent 3 years as an Attendance Counselor working with children and families who were having school problems.  Then again, she took a leave of absence from the Long Beach School District to work for the U.S. 12th Air Force in Germany as a Recreational Leader in U.S. Service Clubs.  When she returned from Germany, she joined the Santa Ana Unified School District as the Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance for grades Kindergarten through Community College.

In 1959, she met her future husband, Bill “Doc” Randol, who was a widower with 3 young children.  They were married in July 16, 1960 at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Newport, CA.  For the next 8 years Ellie was a stay-at-home Mom helping raise the three children she adopted as her own—son Billy-9 years old, Kathy-7 years old and Bobby-4 years old.  When the children were well into high school, Ellie returned to work: this time for the Garden Grove Unified School District as a Career Counselor at La Quinta High School with an enrollment of 2,000 students.

In 1980 Doc & Ellie retired and moved to Mammoth Lakes, CA.  Ellie immediately joined the Mammoth Lakes Auxiliary & became a regular volunteer at their thrift shop, The Cast Off, which was then housed at what is now Gomez’s Restaurant.  She also helped at the Mammoth Hospital as needed.  Later on, Ellie also became an active Friends of the Library volunteer & organized their used book sales.  She held offices in both organizations and a room has been named after her in the Mammoth Library.  Ellie enjoyed singing and was an active member of The Music Society of The Eastern Sierra in the 80’s and 90’s.

Ellie is survived by her children:  William H. Randol & wife, Diane, Vista CA; daughter Kathleen Johnson, 20 Palms CA; Robert D. Randol & wife Serena, Redding CA; sister, Sylvia Broline Norman, Northridge CA; sister-in-law, MaraLee Ashworth, Escondido; 6 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, 12 nieces and nephews and 10 cousins.

I lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the Mammoth Hospital Auxiliary, PO Box 1399; Mammoth Lakes Friends of the Library, PO Box 1468; or The Music Society of the Eastern Sierra, PO Box 185; all in Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546.

A memorial service and celebration of Ellie’s life will be held Friday, August 3rd, at 2pm at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Mammoth.

Discover more from Sierra Wave: Eastern Sierra News

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading