Eleanor Chin Kau

Eleanor Chin Kau died peacefully in Alhambra, CA on February 7, 2017 at the age of 93.

She is survived by her sister Ruth Chin Tom of California, her daughter Sharon Kau Noell of Oregon, her son and daughter-in-law Frank and Mirafe Kau of California, and her granddaughters Melinda Noell, Vivienne Kau, and Leanne Kau. She is preceded in death by her brothers William (Bill), Clarence, and Gilbert.

Eleanor was born on December 27, 1923 in Omaha, Nebraska to her parents Dong Hi Loy Chin (mother) and Lin Quong Chin (father). Her childhood was spent between Omaha, the Canton region of China, and San Francisco. She graduated from Omaha Central High School in the summer of 1942. Although she was offered a full scholarship to college, Eleanor elected instead to take an adult education mechanical learner course and join the war effort. Eleanor briefly worked for the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, Missouri River Division as a messenger. For the majority of her time during the war, Eleanor worked for the Glenn L. Martin Company as an expeditor.

Following the war, she worked as a storekeeper for United Airlines, eventually transferring from Omaha to the Los Angeles branch. In Los Angeles, Eleanor met Clinton Mung Cheng Kau. They were married on February 20, 1953.

The couple welcomed their daughter Sharon, and son Frank into their home in 1954 and 1963. During their marriage, Eleanor worked as a tour and foreign agent, a teletype operator, a secretary, a clerk, and helped Clinton establish his optometry practice. In 1964, Eleanor began working as a personnel clerk for the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). Clinton and Eleanor divorced in 1966.

With custody of both children, Eleanor continued to work for LAUSD. She retired as a senior personnel clerk from LAUSD in 1988 at the age of 65. As a retiree, she attended Pasadena City College and was active in her church and Business & Professional Women Association.

Eleanor will be remembered for her love of God, of her family, of learning, and of animals. She is admired for her strength, honesty, wisdom and integrity. Her family, friends, and community will miss her gregariousness, her courageousness, her creativity, and her wholeheartedness.

A funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 4th at Green Hills Memorial Park in Rancho Palos Verdes, California.


Funeral Home:
Green Hills Mortuary and Memorial Chapel
27501 S.Western Ave.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
US 90275