Margaret Elaine Kendall

Elaine Kendall passed away May 25, 2018 at her home in Santa Rosa, CA.

Elaine was born and raised in Petaluma and is preceded in death by her parents Santina and Thomas Hooper and her sister Janice (Hooper) Nash.  With the exception of a few years Elaine was a life-long Sonoma County resident. Elaine would share stories of the fun she had while working and living in Honolulu, HI in the 1960’s.  After returning from Hawaii Elaine settled in the Rincon Valley neighborhood of Santa Rosa and spent more than 30 years with the Rincon Valley Union School District starting as the secretary to the Assistant Superintendent and Instructional Materials. This position gave her an opportunity to express her creative side where she would help teachers create fun and educational posters and activities.  While raising her daughter and working both a full-time and part-time job, Elaine completed her college education through USF, graduating with honors in 1986.   She retired in 2003 as the Personnel Officer for the school district she loved.  Once retired Elaine would regularly comment that she had no idea how much work interfered with her fun. Elaine spent the next 20 years creating whimsical wearable art as EK Designs of Sonoma County, selling her art at Northern California’s many craft shows and boutiques. Elaine also spent time traveling the world with her close circle of friends. Serious illness did not stop her from taking her final trip in March 2018 to see the Northern Lights in Alaska.

Elaine is survived by her daughter Trista and son-in-law George, of Redwood City, CA, and  nephews Jason Nash and his family of Sparks NV, and Justin Nash and his family, of Hilmar CA.  Elaine also leaves behind a tight knit circle of cousins who she regularly lunched with as well as her amazing group of friends, many she has known more than 40 years.

The family will host an open house to celebrate Elaine’s life at her Santa Rosa home June 9, 2018 from 1pm - 4pm – we ask that you come prepared to share your favorite Elaine memories.

In lieu of flowers we ask that donations be made to the charity of your choice.