Estela Zeff

Blanca Estela Zeff, who went by “Estela”, died peacefully the morning of November 25, 2013 at Darlington Nursing Home in Toledo, Ohio.She survived a number of strokes, starting as a young adult, but went on to live a full and meaningful life.Estela was born in Santa Ana, El Salvador in 1937, and attended nursing school at University of San Salvador prior to moving to the US.She then worked as a nurse at San Francisco General hospital, moonlighting as a Flamenco dancer.

Estela is survived by her two children, Oliver Zeff and Laura (Nancy) Zeff; one grandchild, Leo, and ex-husband, Dr. Arnold Zeff; brother Napoleon Mejia; sisters Consuela Van Pelt, Ruth (Stephen) Marmer, and Dina Stenwick; and nieces and nephews whom she loved fiercely.

Estela had a loving heart, and touched the lives of those around her regardless of where she lived.During her years in the nursing home Estela had endeared herself to the staff and to Bonnie, the companion who visited her nearly daily.While she was still able, she tended to the other patients around her.(“Once a nurse, always a nurse,” as staff at the nursing home would say about her.)Estela always had a soft spot for the very young, the very old and those who were sick.She used to carry home injured animals in order to nurse them back to health; the baby birds or squirrels or rabbits would then be rehabilitated in shoeboxes on the mantel above the fireplace.Even sick plants that had been discarded could be coaxed back to healthy, jungle-size proportions by Estela’s care.She loved nature, was passionate about art and music, and appreciated good food, which for her included both expensive seafood and diner hamburgers.Above all, Estela loved people, especially her family.

A memorial service will be held at Muehlig Funeral Chapel, 403 S. 4th Ave. Ann Arbor on Wednesday, December 4, 2013 at 2:00pm with visitation beforehand at 1:00pm.Interment will be in the family plot in Eureka, California.