Eleanor Rubin
Aug. 5, 1913-Feb. 17, 2012
Menlo Park, California

Eleanor died peacefully and with grace on February 17 at age 98. She was a resident of Menlo Park for over 40 years and before that had lived and worked in San Francisco for more than 20 years.

Born August 5, 1913, in Warwick, Rhode Island, to Caroline Munnegle and Michael A. Rattigan, Eleanor was raised there and in Washington, D.C.

Her family was active in law and politics, interests she retained throughout her long life. She graduated from Trinity College in Washington D.C. in 1934 and then embarked on a long career in the Federal government, including positions with the Department of Agriculture and the National Archives.

On December 21, 1941, she became the 26th employee of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) under William J. Donovan. Following the war, she moved to San Francisco in 1945 and worked briefly for Doubleday, then returned to OSS, which became the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). She was with the CIA until retiring as a research analyst in 1969.

That year, she married Jerome W. Rubin, whom she had known and worked with for many years. They enjoyed a wonderful life together, full of interesting and varied friends and a warm and loving family.

Eleanor was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry Rubin, and by her brother, the Honorable Joseph A. Rattigan. She is survived by her stepsons Dick Rubin (Judy) and Dan Rubin (Gretchen); grandson Patch Rubin (Jen); sister-in-law Betty Rattigan; nieces Catharine Kalin (John) and Anne Paine; nephews Michael Rattigan (Janelle), Tom Rattigan, Pat Rattigan (Christie) and Tim Rattigan (Paula); and by many grand and great-grand nieces and nephews, all of whom she cherished.

The family wishes to express its profound gratitude to Sela, her caregiver and companion, who lovingly took care of Eleanor (and Jerry) at home for many years.

A lifelong Catholic, Eleanor was a parishioner at St. Raymond church in Menlo Park. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice.