Eleanor Villarreal entered eternal rest on October 28, 2018.  She is survived by her husband, Raul Vega, her children, Freddy and Nicole Villarreal, and their respective spouses, Araceli Villarreal and Pete Steele.  She is also survived by her grandchildren Selene, Breea, and, Kiana.

Eleanor was born in San Francisco and was raised in Hollister.  She made Gilroy her home at age 18.  She attended Gavilan College and graduated from the University of San Francisco.

Eleanor retired from Rebekah Children's Services where she worked for over 20 years as the Chief Development Officer and Public Relations Director.  Her passion was being an advocate for children and families in Gilroy.  Eleanor also had a deep passion for the Prevention and Education Program.  Through her efforts RCS was able to raise millions of dollars for the expansion of RCS programs.  Eleanor was instrumental in leveraging funding from an array of community businesses and leaders.

In addition, Eleanor was an active supporter and member of the Latino community in Gilroy.  She was a founding member of the Gilroy Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Gilroy Hispanic Cultural Festival, and more recently the Latino Family Fund.   In 2017 she received the Legacy Award from Community Agency for Resources, Advocacy, and Services (CARAS).

Eleanor was a founding member of the Exchange Club of Gilroy and the Coastal Habitat Education Environmental Restoration (CHEER).  She was also a member of the South County Democratic Club, served as Commissioner for the Santa Clara County FIRST 5 program, served as chairwoman and active volunteer of the Gilroy Garlic Festival, and belonged to and participated in many other local organizations.

Eleanor received the distinction of Gilroy's Woman of the Year in 1996 by the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce and the Outstanding Professional Fundraiser in 1997 by the Association of Fundraising Professionals of Silicon Valley.  In 2017 Rebekah Children's Services dedicated their library in her honor and proclaimed it as the "Eleanor Villarreal Library".

Eleanor enjoyed exercising, walking her dogs, going dancing, going to antique shops and estate sales, and spending time with her family and friends.  She will be truly missed, but her countless contributions to the Gilroy community will live on for many years to come.

A Celebration of Life will be held in her honor on Friday, November 9 ^th , 2018 from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at the Odd-Fellow Rebekah's Children's Services in Gilroy.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any donations be made to Rebekah's Children's Services directed to the Legacy Fund or the Good Times Fund.  Tax ID #94-1167402