Eleanor Joan Bitzer

May 30, 1933 - June 7, 2022

With great sadness, we announce the death of Eleanor “Ellie” Bitzer, our loving and strong mother, grandmother, great-grandmother (Gma), and friend. She left us on June 7, 2022 in her Hayward home, surrounded by family. She had just celebrated her 89th birthday. Ellie was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania on May 30, 1933 to Polish parents Barney and Cecelia Bennick. She spoke fondly of her childhood in WIlkes-Barre, where her father and uncle would perform with their polka band in their living room while she danced along. This led to her lifelong love of music, including a devotion to Elvis Presley. At the tender age of sixteen, Ellie married Richard Bitzer on May 26, 1950. They had five children; Nancy (Glenn Henderson), Robert (Gloria), Susan (Lenny Rodriguez), David (Mary), and John (Brenda). They enjoyed taking vacations throughout their 54 years of marriage, including a trip to Japan, lots of trips and cruises to Hawaii, and an RV cross-country adventure. Ellie was preceded in death by her husband Richard in 2004 and her eldest son Robert in 2019. She loved watching her twelve grandchildren and seven great grandchildren grow and share her stories with them. She lived a full life, enjoying time listening to her music, spending time in her garden, and watching Elvis movies with her caring partner of 15 years, Jack Bruckner. He continued to make her smile even as Alzheimer’s stole the last few years of her life. Funeral services will be held at Chapel of the Chimes in Hayward, CA on Thursday, June 23 at 9am with a Celebration of Life to follow at the New England Clubhouse (940 New England Village Dr, Hayward CA). Viewing is on Wednesday, June 22 from 4-7pm.