Longtime Laguna Beach resident and peace activist Eleanor Henry died July 3. She was 99.
Henry grew up in Wilmar, Calif., in the San Gabriel Valley, but moved to Laguna in 1961. She quickly became involved in local activities, including the Girl Scouts as a troop leader and volunteer.
In 1968, she was instrumental in forming the Laguna Beach Peace Vigil, which met every Saturday at Main Beach. She was also a member of the Laguna Beach Beautification Council Board, and she exhibited at the Sawdust Festival for more than 35 years.
Her four children all graduated from Laguna Beach High School.
Henry relished her time as a peace activist and encouraged people to challenge authority and get involved. According to her friend Lee Casegrillo, Henry was arrested 21 times in one year for protesting.
In a 2015 story for the Daily Pilot, Henry said people should not take peace for granted.
“We’ve had a lot of locals say, ‘Great, you do this every Saturday?’” she said. “They don’t even know. They will only come out if there is something big.”
Nonetheless, Henry remained committed to peace and was active in the Laguna community.
Service arrangements are underway.
