Elsie "Scotty" Porter Stuehmeyer

Elsie Scott-Stuehmeyer died peacefully in her home on December 8th, 2024 at the age of 90. Elsie was also known as Scotty and legally as Alice.

Elsie was born in Glasgow, Scotland on January 30th, 1934 to Elizabeth and Robert Scott. Growing up during World War II left vivid memories of time in bomb shelters during the air raids. Upon finishing school at age 15, she started an apprenticeship with Thomas Gordon & Sons to become a Kiltmaker. This would become her lifelong trade which eventually took her around the world teaching others. She was the proud co-author of a how-to book titled The Art of Kiltmaking.

She met her husband Henry (Stu) Stuehmeyer (1925-2018) in England where he was stationed with the United States Air Force. They married and moved to America in 1973, settling in Petaluma, California. She was an avid fan of Petaluma and seemed to have a friend everywhere she went. In the 1970’s she owned a Scottish and Irish import store in the Petaluma Mill. Elsie and Stu were very involved in the community as members of various organizations such as the Orange Lodge, American Legion, VFW and other veterans organizations. Outside of Petaluma, they were also involved in the Caledonian Club of San Francisco and helped run many Scottish games and festivals in Northern California including the annual event at the Santa Rosa Fairgrounds on Labor Day weekend which moved to Pleasanton in the 1990s. Elsie was even the Honorary Chief of this event in 2021 making her the first woman to ever hold the title.

In addition to making kilts, Elsie was a Highland Dancing teacher and well regarded around the world by dance teachers, dancers and their families. She had an entertaining and feisty personality that was loved by all.

Elsie is survived by her children, Mark Stuehmeyer (Pam) of Washington, Allison Houser (Edward) of Pennsylvania and Lorna Brown (Tim) of California. She was stepmother to Timothy, Martin and Jeremy Stuehmeyer and Michelle Martinez. Elsie was the proud grandmother to Morgan, Callum and Brandon.

Donations in her honor may be sent to Disabled American Veterans or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. A memorial service will be held in Spring 2025.