Obituary

MARY ELEANOR “ELLIE” DAINKO, 82

Mary Eleanor Dainko (nee Hallagan), aged 82, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on April 13, 2018 in Laguna Hills, CA from complications following heart surgery.   Ellie was born on December 29, 1935 in Evergreen Park, IL, the second daughter of Arthur D. Hallagan (Gaga) and Marion Josephine Baker (Gamma).

Ellie grew up in Blue Island, IL. She learned to swim at an early age and swam clear across Delavan Lake as a teen. She enjoyed summer vacationing at the family cottage in Delavan, WI.  Ellie graduated from Longwood Academy and attended DePaul University in Chicago, IL.  Following college, Ellie worked for TWA.

In 1957, Ellie married the love of her life, Dr. Edward A. Dainko Jr., and upon his completion of medical school, they moved to San Bernardino, CA where Dr. Dainko eventually became chief of surgery at the San Bernardino County Medical Center and later St. Bernardine’s Medical Center. Ellie worked on the board of the San Bernardino County Medical Society Auxiliary for more than 30 years. They celebrated their 60^th wedding anniversary last year.

Family and friends were Ellie’s passion and delight.  She had a gracious spirit and extended hospitality to all.  Her generosity to many charitable causes in San Bernardino blessed many lives and gave glory to God.  Employing her skills learned from TWA and summers in Delavan, Ellie planned many social events and family vacations. She raised nine children who love being together and are devoted to their parents. She and her husband enjoyed taking cruises, often with all of their children and grandchildren.

Ellie was a member of Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church in San Bernardino and following her husband’s retirement, moved to Dana Point, CA to become a member of St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church.

Ellie is survived by her loving husband and her nine children, Edward III (Terri), James, Kathleen (James Young), Robert, Thomas, Michael (Carla), Patricia (Douglas Green), John Paul (Suzanne) and Matthew (fiancée Tawnee); her sisters, Sharon O’Keefe and Kathleen Wilson, three sisters-in-law; two brothers-in-law; twenty-two grandchildren; thirty-four nieces and nephews; and other relatives and close friends too numerous to count.

She is preceded in death by five brothers, Arthur, Robert, Donald, Kevin, and Paul and one sister, Joan Getzloff.

Rosary and Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 26, 2018 at O’Connor Mortuary, Laguna Hills, CA from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM.  The Rite of Christian Burial Mass will be held at St. Edward Catholic Church in Dana Point, CA at 11:00 AM on Friday, April 27, 2018.  A reception will follow.

There will be a graveside service for family members at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery on Saturday, April 28, 2018.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be sent in her name to Aquinas High School, 2772 Sterling Ave. San Bernardino, CA 92404 or a favorite charity of your choosing.