Eleanor Jane Newcomb

Eleanor Jane Newcomb

July 19, 1922 – January 22, 2021

Eleanor Jane Newcomb (98), of Madera, CA, beloved wife of the late Elvan Newcomb, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 22, 2021. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Born in Elk City, OK she was number 13 of 14 children. Eleanor attended elementary and high school in Oklahoma and completed one year at Southwestern State Teachers College in Weatherford, OK. It was while she was in Oklahoma that she met Elvan. She always recalled that she was sitting on the steps at church when they first saw each other. She worked, as did her brothers and sisters, in the family grocery store until moving in 1941 to California to marry Elvan who had moved there previously. They owned Newcomb Tractor Company in Madera where she was the bookkeeper and “ambassador” to their many customers.

Eleanor had boundless energy. She helped run the business, raise 3 children, cook, bake and help support many community endeavors. She was devoted to the Fourth Street Church of God in Madera where she and Elvan were founding members. Eleanor was involved in many civic activities in Madera. She was chaplain for the Madera County Republican Women where she was honored in 2009 for her contributions to Madera County and the Republican organization; a member of Madera County Cattlewomen and was honored one year as Cow Bell of the Year; the Madera Chamber of Commerce where she received a “Lifetime Achievement” award; member of Madera Soroptimist Club; member of the Board of Trustees of Vacation Samaritans (a Church of God missions organization) and she served on the Board of Trustees at Warner Pacific University in Portland, OR where her children and grandchildren attended and where she was renowned for raising scholarship funds for students from Fourth Street Church of God.

Eleanor was not afraid of work. Starting as a child, she worked in the grocery store for her father, she worked as a sales person at Dottie Dean’s Dress Shop, in Fresno, CA and Paul Jones Gift Shop in Madera. She co-owned Marielle’s Used Clothing Store which was near the location of Newcomb Tractor Co. She was also a travel agent at All Aboard Travel in Madera. As a young wife and mother she would bake and sell cakes to help with family income.

Eleanor loved to entertain family and friends at her home in Madera and at Millerton Lake. Two of her favorite past times were playing cards (tic, pinochle, canasta) and sampling a box of See’s Candies. Another favorite past time was music. A big part of her life included singing and playing the piano. She had an innate gift of being able to hear a song and was immediately able to play it by ear and often transpose it into another key. Eleanor was known for asking others “what can I do for you?” Another lingering phrase given us by our dear mother and grandmother was “I love you more.” If you beat her to it, she would respond “I love you most!” Jesus said “Your care for others is the measure of your greatness.” Her life demonstrated her care for others.

Eleanor is survived by her daughters, Jane Whitehead and husband Ed of Tigard, OR. Billie Boberg and husband Buz of Madera, CA. John Newcomb and husband Jim Sivo of Monterey, CA.

Grandchildren, Ted and Sue Whitehead, Terry and Lori Whitehead, Tim and Jill Whitehead, Norlin Renteria, Chad and Caitlin Boberg. She is also survived by great grandchildren Bobi (Whitehead) and Andrew Bergh, Mick Whitehead, Nathaniel Whitehead, Hunter, Farleigh and Maggie Whitehead, Reagan and Reece Boberg.
Internment was at Arbor Vitae Cemetery in Madera, CA. Remembrances may be made to the Fourth Street Church of God, 222 4th Street, Madera, CA 93936; to Warner Pacific University, 2219 SE 68th Ave., Portland, OR 97215 or to a charity of choice. Condolences may be expressed at the Jay Chapel website: ww.jaychapel.com.

A celebration of the life of our mother, grandmother and your friend will be held at a later date at the Fourth Street Church of God, Madera, CA.