Memories of Elaine Stewart Santos

April is the time of the year when we usually think of rebirth, renewal and Easter. This April on Easter weekend my husband Steve's sweet mother passed away after a long full life. She was surrounded by many of her family when she passed, and we were driving to California with her in our thoughts and prayers. Right before we got the call, my husband said he could see his mother clearly in the clouds in front of us as we drove. We pulled over and said a prayer and continued on to join the rest of the family.

We were so blessed to have all of the family pull together and support one another. We all agreed on one thing, her life should be celebrated and not mourned. She gave selflessly to her family and others and had such a kind loving spirit that she made us all feel special. I met her 2 years after my own mother passed and she immediately made me feel welcome. I felt so lucky that the Lord gave me the gift of being able to be part of her family.  I would like to share this tribute to her that is full of special memories we have of her.

Elaine Santos
January 15, 1924 to April 7, 2012

                 

Elaine was born Bertha Elaine Stewart on Jan 15, 1924 in Sanger, California to Elmer Stewart and Pearl Starr, from an early age she preferred to be called “Elaine”.  She grew up in the Sanger area in a large loving family where she was taught the importance of putting family first. She worked hard around her home and enjoyed spending time with her four brothers and sisters and aunts and uncles.

As a young lady, Elaine aspired to be a model, and throughout her life she loved to dress up. Unfortunately, she did not grow tall enough, but that didn’t stop her from blooming into a beautiful  woman and throughout her life, her most memorable features were her sparkling eyes and her beautiful (sometimes mischievous) smile.

Elaine had a strong work ethic, and after graduating from Sanger High School in 1942, she started exploring career choices. For a time she worked as an attendant at a hospital and as a housekeeper. She also enjoyed working as a waitress and meeting interesting people. While working, she had several brushes with fame, meeting several movie stars and even putting the famed “Tex Ritter” in his place when he was being rude!  She loved to follow the Hollywood news and enjoyed going to movies, a love she shared with her children who still have fond memories of going to the movies with mom.

 One of her most memorable jobs was working at the Roar Aircraft on B-24 aircraft for the war effort.  She became one of the famed “Rosie the Riveters” supporting the troops from home.  She hoped to be able to continue as a welder after the war, but willingly gave up that position to a returning veteran.  She loved this country and was proud to be a patriot throughout her life. 

It was not too many years after the war that she married her life partner, Frank Santos and for their 50 plus years together, with the help of their children and grandchildren, they built a successful Dairy business that thrived from 1951-1998 and was well respected in the community.

Elaine was a hard worker and accomplished homemaker, working right alongside her husband, milking, feeding and taking care of the dairy. Even with all the responsibility of home and family, she was active in 4H, FFA as well as being a member of the Sports and AG boosters and the Holstein Frisian association.  She often accompanied her children to the fairs to support them while they showed their livestock.

Mom is best remembered by the love she put into her home cooking. She had a gift for preparing dishes that no one has been able to quite duplicate. She cooked from scratch using recipes she kept track of in her head. Her food always brought compliments, and comments from family and friends that they had never experienced food like it.  So many of the memories we all have of Elaine are of special occasions and favorite dinners we enjoyed. You never walked in to her home without hearing “Did you eat yet?” and “let me fix you something”.

She will be dearly missed by all of those who knew and loved her.  

Elaine’s husband preceded her in death. She is survived by three children and two grandsons. Her children are daughter Kathy Sewell and her husband Barry, son Steve and his wife Mary Ellen, and son Anthony.  Two surviving grandsons and their families are; Steven and Pam Stephens and their son Joshua, Greg Sewell and his children Amanda, Katelyn and Karson, and 10 great grandchildren through marriage.  

If you have memories of Elaine that you would like to share, please post a comment and I will make sure the family gets them.

Santa: Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories, December 6, 2011

This is one of my favorite and sweetest Santa stories.

In 2004 the three youngest grandchildren Jayden, Jazzie and newborn Taytum were visited by a very special helper of Santa's. Our 13 year old grandson Joshua, agreed to help Santa out and let his cousins and little sister have their pictures taken with him.

It went something like this:
ME: Josh, I think you would make a great Santa

JOSH: I don't think so grandma

ME: Sure you would, we will even get you a cool suit to wear, just like Halloween

JOSH: Ummmm I'll think about it

Sometime later:

ME: Josh, look, your mom found a really cool Santa Suit!!!!

JOSH: MOMMMMMMM!!!! ME: Please?????

SILENCE AS TIME PASSES

JOSH: Ummmmm, well, I guess I could do it, it does look KINDA cool

Christmas Eve 2004

JOSH: Uhhh grandma???

ME: Yes Josh?



JOSH: This is really really hot and sweaty........How long do I have to wear it for? JOSH: Grandma???
Grandma???? where did you go???????? man I gotta get outta here.............



ME: THANK YOU JOSHUA .......Here comes Santa Claus here comes Santa Claus.......

Outdoor Decorations: Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories December 5, 2011

I grew up loving the outdoor Christmas displays. My parents seemed to enjoy the lights as well and even though my dad didn't enjoy driving at night, he and my mom would bundle me up and put me in the car to "go see the lights". I remember standing on the backseat floor of the car using my mitten to clear the frost off the window so I could see the lights. It was magical how the lights all seemed to have "halos" through the frosted glass. When I think of those snowy Colorado nights, I can still remember the familiar smell of my "daddy's" old cars. They all pretty much smelled the same, the warm radio tubes, dust on the seats, well worn mechanic's tools and cigarettes. Somehow that was a safe and cozy environment to protect us from the snow and ice.

Then when my kids were young and we were still in Colorado, they also had quite a few rides to see lights in "Grandpa's" car, (of course by then there were seat-belts.)

In the early '80's we moved to Arizona and I wondered how the lights here could possibly be as beautiful without the snow and ice. We were thrilled to find out that not only were they as beautiful, but sometimes it was nice to enjoy them with the temperatures in the 50's instead of the '20's!




Actually, one of the most beautiful displays we have ever enjoyed was in Mesa, Arizona at the Arizona LDS Temple. The display has been a part of every Arizona Christmas since.

I am including some of the the Temple Garden pictures as posted on the City of Mesa web site. I hope you can enjoy a special part of the yearly tradition that lights up our season.

Holiday Cards: Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories.

I'm fortunate to have a collection of my grandparents and parents' letters and cards. Some of them are as old as the early 1900's, but the majority of them are like the ones shown here from the 1940's. I love the soft colors and innocent images, these are the images I grew up with in the family scrapbooks and albums and they almost seemed like storybooks to me.

Not only are the cards beautiful, but the personal notes inside were handwritten with beautiful penmanship and hopeful messages for the upcoming years.

I feel so fortunate that I have been able to learn so much about my ancestors from these cards. So many of the cards are from brother's and sister's and aunt's and uncles that had passed long before I was born. The cards I treasure the most are the ones that were sent between my mom and her mother. Some of the thoughts they shared showed how much love and concern they had for each other and how much they missed being able to see one another.

We no longer exchange cards in the family and I can't help but feel an obligation to make sure that my grandchildren appreciate the treasures in this little box of memories.