Eleanor Mary Toolajian

On February 21, 2023, Eleanor Mary Toolajian, loving wife and mother of four, passed away at age ninety.  Eleanor was the devoted wife of Vahan Toolajian, her beloved husband of 31 years until his death in 1989. She was an exceptional mother who cherished her three sons and daughter: Loren Toolajian (Anne) of Denville, NJ; Evan Toolajian of South Lake Tahoe, CA; Brian Toolajian of Sausalito, CA; and Sarah Planche of  Sacramento, CA. Eleanor was a proud grandmother to Emma, Chloe and Luke Planche; Jeneva Toolajian; and Josh (Emily), Dylan, and Matthew Toolajian, and a loving presence in the lives of her many more adored nieces, nephews and cousins. 

Born in Scranton, PA, she was the daughter of the late Walter and Violet Kozlosky, and sister of Charles Kozlosky (Marta); Lillian Schmitt (Erwin); Leonard Kozlosky (Ellen), and Tom Kozlosky (Mary). Following her graduation from high school, Eleanor moved to Phoenix, AZ, enrolled in St. Joseph’s Hospital School of Nursing and, upon graduation, became a RN in the US Navy with her best friend Nancy Trosper, whose family treated Eleanor like a second daughter. Shortly thereafter, she was stationed in San Diego, where she met and fell in love with Vahan who was serving in the United States Marine Corps. They married in December 1957 and moved to San Francisco (SF), where they resided together for most of their lives, and where Eleanor worked professionally as a registered nurse.

A woman of strong faith, Eleanor was an active church member both at Mission Dolores Basilica and Notre Dame des Victoires in SF.  She and Vahan were also activists in their Mission Dolores community, at one point in the early ‘70s raising awareness, gathering signatures, and petitioning the Department of City Planning to plant trees in the community. Today, those trees tower protectively over its residents and neighborhood. 

Her husband and four children were the loves of her life. She invested in each of them every bit of her energy, joy and imagination, sharing the very best of herself. Ellie loved to read and to garden. She was a true and loyal friend, and a superb listener who provided excellent advice to whomever requested it.  An accomplished and creative cook, Eleanor filled  her home with delicious smells and food as she kept her family nourished in every way. Her family’s interests became hers as she supported their endeavors in musical performances and sports, among others.  Above all, her generous, kind spirit and wonderful laugh will be remembered and missed by all who knew and loved her. 

The family would like to thank the staff at MJP Care Home in Sacramento, CA, for their loving and attentive care during her time there. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her name to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 am on Monday, March 6th, at Notre Dame des Victoires Church at 566 Bush St, San Francisco. Her interment will be private.  

“The greatest thing you’ll ever learn, is just to love and be loved in return.”  Eden Ahbez

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