Elnora Schmadel; Psychologist Co-Founded The Learning Center

Elnora Schmadel, 79, a psychologist who co-founded The Learning Center to aid children. Born in Evansville, Ind., Schmadel earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology at Indiana University and a master’s and doctorate at USC. She began her career as a school psychologist in Pico Rivera and went on to become the director of research and guidance for the San Gabriel School District. In 1965, she set up an individual practice in Santa Ana. Three years later, she and her partner Jean Davis opened The Learning Center in Santa Ana to assist children with school and learning difficulties. She also taught at UC Irvine Extension and UC Riverside Extension. Schmadel offered practical, down-to-earth advice on such topics as succeeding in classes, dieting or even making money: Decide what you want to do, organize and develop a plan, and do it. Too many people, she said, waste energy in mere wishful thinking as a way of avoiding action. On Friday in Santa Ana.