Eleanor Evangeline Jones Kodish
Eleanor Kodish, 95, from Lock Haven, PA, passed peacefully away in her home, on October 11. Eleanor Evangeline Jones Kodish was born in Johnson City, NY. November 5, 1925, to Stephen Douglas Jones and Clara Melissa (Anderson) Jones. She was married for 64 years to her college sweetheart, Raymond A. Kodish, who passed away on March 14, 2012.
Eleanor attended a one-room schoolhouse for eight years in Middletown Center, PA, graduating from Rush High School in Rush, PA, in 1943. She graduated from Mansfield State Teachers College, as it was known then, in 1947, with a degree in Elementary Education. She earned a master’s degree in Elementary Administration from Penn State in 1973.
She taught one year in Corning, NY, before being married, and in 1954 began a teaching career in the Jersey Shore School District, where she worked until retirement in 1981. Twenty-seven wonderful years were spent in the beloved Avis Elementary School, as a classroom teacher and later as principal of the school.
Eleanor was a lifetime member of the Avis PTO, AARP, and the Ross Library in Lock Haven. She was on the board of directors for The Friends of the Ross Library. She was proud of her many years as a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, an honorary organization for women educators. She belonged to the Immaculate Conception Church in Lock Haven where she was choir member and Eucharistic Minister for many years.
Eleanor was a member of the Belles Springs Golf Club where she and her husband played for over 30 years.
During her years as an educator, Eleanor was honored by being presented with the Outstanding Educator Award from Mansfield University, where she also served two terms as a member of the Alumni Board. She was also very proud to have delivered a summer commencement address at her beloved Mansfield.
Eleanor has been a volunteer for several organizations in Lock Haven. She especially enjoyed the hours spent with The Covenant Café Alzheimer’s Support Group, Ross Library, Susque View Nursing Home, the Rotary Club, and her daughter-in-law’s third grade classrooms.
She is survived by two sons, Ronald (Teresa), Avis, PA and Richard (Carolyn Munro), Oxford, PA; one daughter, Rita (Mark) Filohoski, Port Trevorton, PA; and a daughter-in-law, Nancy W. Kodish of Schwenksville, PA.
Also surviving are eight grandchildren, Cory Kodish (Megan), Joshua Steffen (Jeena), Curtis Kodish (Ashley), Anna Steffen (Anthony Ordonez), Stephen Kodish (Sachie Lee), Kathryn Kodish, Scott Kodish (Whitney), Raymond Kodish, and three step-granddaughters, Laurie Simpers (Joey), Katy Yoder (Jon), Leslie Fanning (Matt), six great-grandchildren, Kayla, Hannah, and Carter Kodish, Khani McCray, Julia and Jude Ordonez, seven step great-grandchildren, Elliot and Margot Simpers, Matthew and Hayes Fanning, Uriah, Irelyn and Avalon Yoder, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Besides her husband, Ray, she was predeceased by a son, Raymond S. Kodish, son-in-law, Steven C. Steffen, daughter-in-law, Nancy H. Kodish, three sisters, Marean Robbins, Marjorie Wilkins, Carol Hemenway, and one brother, Elwyn Jones.
A memorial service in celebration of Eleanor’s life will be held at a later date. The family hopes that all who knew and loved Eleanor can be with us at that time.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be given through the funeral home to The Ross Library, Alzheimer’s Association, or American Cancer Society.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Moriarty Funeral Home & Crematory, 112 E. Church St., Lock Haven, PA 17745.
Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.moriartyfuneral.com
