Oct. 3, 1928 — July 19, 2017
Eleonore Maria Moroder von Massenhausen, age 88, passed away peacefully and surrounded by her family in Newport Beach on July 19.
Eleonore was born in Bolzano, Italy, on Oct. 3, 1928. She met her future husband, Arnold, at a ski lodge in Austria. Following their marriage in June, 1956, Eleonore joined Arnold in the United States to pursue the American dream together and build a better life for themselves and their future family.
Eleonore was known by many names in her life (Eleonore, Nora, Mom, Oma). One constant was the love she had for all, and Oma (as she was called by everyone once she became a grandmother) was fiercely driven to unite her entire family. Whether it was holidays at her house, family dinners, annual vacations or travel to spend time with out-of-town children and grandchildren, family time was always a priority.
Oma was also the most fiscally responsible matriarch around. She mastered the stock market and passed along that gift each year to her grandchildren. Where other children were spoiled by toys and material things, Oma’s grandchildren received carefully chosen gifts of stock. This gift ensured that the children would be taken care of long after toys would be discarded.
Oma was an exceptional skier and loved to participate in her favorite outdoor activity with all of her children and grandchildren. Memories of family vacations on the ski slopes are some of the most cherished by her entire family.
Eleonore is survived by her husband, Arnold von Massenhausen, her children Charlotte Saydah, Ellie Sambol, Arnie von Massenhausen and Kathy Ursini, their spouses David Sambol, Maria von Massenhausen and John Ursini, and her ten grandchildren: Matthew and Jessica Saydah, Michael and Robert Sambol, A.J., Maggie and Cloie von Massenhausen, and Allie, Angelo and Nicholas Ursini.
Eleonore’s life will be celebrated on Aug. 5 at 10 a.m. at Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Newport Beach, followed by a reception at Newport Country Club.
