Elaine lived through the Dust Bowl in Nebraska and migrated to California with her family when she was a little girl. She remembered the day Pearl Harbor was attacked, and WWII was declared, she was 14 years old.
Elaine taught Tap Dancing and Acrobatics to young children after High School. She loved to dance and danced with many servicemen during World War II.
Elaine met and fell in love with Clarence "Rich" Richards, they were married in 1948. Together they raised five children, Diane, Mike, Kathy, Joe and Janine. Over the years their five children were married and moved away. Elaine and Rich also welcomed foster children into their home. Elaine and Rich shared a loving marriage of 50 years until Rich's passing in September of 1998.
Elaine lived a very active life, she worked for Bank of America for many years as well as Alta Hospital in Dinuba. She was a Literacy Coach and taught many adults to learn to read. She volunteered at St. Agnes Medical Center in Medical Records for several years and was a Choir Member at Holy Spirit Church in Fresno for many years. Elaine was a part of “Stephen Ministry”, a group that mentors grieving Widows and Widowers. She also wrote a “Mother’s Bulletin” every month that was sent to all the family and eventually lots of friends and relatives far away as well.
Elaine was a devoted mother, grandmother and friend who will be remembered fondly for her love of Babies, Reading books, Jigsaw Puzzles, Baking goodies - especially Lemon Bars and Cheesecake, Traveling, Line Dancing, Oil Painting, and Recording Family Ancestry
Left to cherish Elaine's memory are her children and their spouses, Diane & Don Moyer, Mike & Teresa Richards, Kathy & Bob Shaffer, Joe & Lisa Richards, Janine & Eddie Guerrero and Greg Richardson; siblings, Margie Ruzzamenti and Bob & JoAnne Nyman; 17 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren and many other family and friends.
A funeral mass for Elaine will be held Tuesday, October 15, 2024 at 10:00 AM at St. Catherine of Siena Roman Catholic Church, 356 N Villa Ave, Dinuba, CA 93618. Following the funeral mass will be a committal service at Smith Mountain Cemetery, 42088 Rd 100, Dinuba, CA 93618.
Serving as pallbearers are Don Moyer, Eddie Guerrero, Bob Shaffer, Greg Richardson, Mike Richards and Joe Richards.
