Obituary of Elaine Bernadette Kelliher

Elaine B. Kelliher passed away with family at her side at Twin Lakes Manor where she resided for the past 6 months. Elaine was 88 years old. Elaine was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on April 3, 1925. She spent her younger years in Minneapolis where she met her husband Donald Barry whom she married in December 1943. When Donald joined the army and was stationed in the Bay Area, Elaine followed and worked for her grandparents at their restaurant in San Francisco and subsequently became a welder during the war. After the war, Donald and Elaine returned to Minneapolis where they had four children all while building their home. In 1954 Donald, Elaine and their four children moved to Concord, California where Donald had accepted a job at the Bencia Refinery. Two years after their move to California, Donald passed away suddenly from a heart attack leaving Elaine with four small children. In 1958 neighbors introduced Elaine to Charles Kelliher, a Chief in the US Navy and they were married in June 1959. They soon had a son together the following year. In 1961 Elaine and Charlie moved to Santa Cruz when Charlie was transferred to the Naval Training Center at De Laveaga. Elaine was a wonderful homemaker, an excellent cook, great & loving mother to her children. A funny memory of Elaine was one day she woke up and decided she wanted to paint the house red. By afternoon when her husband Charlie then a mail carrier walked by with their mail and expected lunch he saw Elaine up on a ladder painting their house red. Her favorite time of year was the holidays when she knew her whole family would gather under one roof and share special memories together. When her first two grandchildren, Nicki and Scott, were born, she felt like she was the luckiest woman in the world. Soon after six more grandchildren arrived and eleven great grandchildren. Elaine's greatest joy the past year was riding with her grandson Scott along the cliffs just to enjoy the ocean while listening to her favorite old tunes on the radio. Elaine was predeceased by her first husband Donald Barry, her sons Daniel Barry, William Barry and her second husband Charles Kelliher. Elaine is survived by her daughters Cynthia Karl of Santa Cruz and Bonnie Barry of Merced and her son Charles Kelliher Jr. (Mickey) of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Grandchildren Nicki Imlay (Peter) of Aromas, Scott Frank (fiance' Erin McCarthy) of Santa Cruz, Jimmy (Shana) Davis and Aimee Davis of McKenleyville, Melissa Block of San Diego, Brittany Kelliher of Oregon and Patrick and Natalie Kelliher of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. And her eleven great grandchildren, Sara and Brittany Frank, Jacob and Jaycianna Imlay, Lilly and Danny Davis, Megan and Adam Block and Taya, Brooks and Aubrey Davis. The family of Elaine would like to thank the entire staff of Twin Lakes Manor for their love, kindness and care of Elaine during her stay. They provided a loving home-like setting for mom and for all her family and friends who came to visit. At Elaine's request there will be no public memorial. Family grave site services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers a donations can be made to Hospice of Santa Cruz, the Santa Cruz SPCA or may be directed to the charity of one's choice.