Ella Rose (Elly, aka Miss Elly) Clare Row passed into eternal peace on June 25, 2019 with her children at her side. She had a deep faith with her Savior and cared strongly for her church. She had a wonderful, long life, and would tell you so with a smile on her face.
Elly was born September 8, 1926 on the prairie of Alberta, Canada to Faye Allred and Robert G. Clare, both American citizens. At the age of six, she came to Madera where she has lived ever since. Robert D. Martin (Bob), her step dad was a Ripperdan farmer so Elly grew up a "country girl". Her cousins through Bob Martin; included the Martin's, Mortimer's and Wibbenhorst's. In the summer Elly became a "city girl" spending time with her Dad, Grandma and the Clare Clan in Hollywood.
Elly attended Ripperdan School and graduated from Madera Union High School Class of 1944. She continued her education at Fresno State receiving her teaching credential. While at State, she became a proud member of Alpha Xi Delta Sorority.
Elly's first teaching job took her to Goshen where she taught a few years. She returned to Madera to marry John (Bob, Bobby, John R) Row in 1950, her high school sweetheart. They settled in the Dixieland area and then moved to Madera in 1955.
In 1953, Elly became the first teacher of Small Fry Nursery (which is still going strong). When her first child arrived, she resigned but returned to Small Fry as Director in 1964. In 1966, she and Maxine Yocum approached Duane Furman about starting a Special Education Program in the newly formed Madera Unified School District. Elly, Maxine, Marilyn Wibbenhorst and Lucia Martin were the first Special Ed. Teachers under Robert (Bob) Machado. Elly retired from teaching in 1982. Her love of learning followed her to the end.
Elly and Bob loved to travel with their best friends. They explored Europe and Mexico with the Yocum’s and US/Canada with the Cerioni's. Summers in Central Camp with Rigby and Yocum families, Fish Camp at the Martin cabin with the Cerioni, Chatoian, Tucker and Wilson families, and the beach with Gustaveson, Wilson and Yocum families.
Elly was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church, St. Margaret’s Guild, P.E.O. Chapter DT, and Sigma Theta Sorority, Algeria Guild, Madera Republican Women, Camp Fire Girls, Madera County Historical Society and past Board member of Madera Community Hospital Foundation. In 2009 Elly, Charlotte Lesan, Brooke Whissler and Maxine Yocum were the Queen’s of the Old Timers Day Parade. She was an avid reader, bridge player, and cook and “Authentic” San Francisco Giants fan.
Elly is preceded in death by her parents, stepdad and her loving husband Bobby Row of 54 years.
She is survived by her children Lezlie Hemman, John R. Row DDS and his wife Sharon, Michael Row, granddaughter Lauren Hemman Franzella and husband Mike, great grandchildren Ava and John Franzella, will miss her greatly!
We wish to thank Dr. Steven Gustaveson, caregivers Mary Oliverez, Sonya Osterman, Lila Rivera and Holly Breedlove who helped make Elly comfortable.
Memorial service will be held on, July 19, 2019, 1:00 pm at Jay Chapel, Madera, CA
Donations may be made in loving memory to Madera County Historical Society in Elly's name. P.O. Box 150, Madera, CA 93637
