Elynor Ann McKinnon

90 descendants known for her love of family, her Catholic faith and a good game of cards

that she usually won, passed into eternal peace on Sept. 10, 2019.

She is survived by children Walter Van Zant Jr. (Kathy) of Sunnyvale, Donna Van Zant

Salcido (Sal) of Lincoln, Alice Van Zant Crotty (John) of Lincoln, Robert Van Zant of

San Mateo and Heidi Van Zant of Auburn. Beverley Van Zant Calhoun of Lincoln and

Stephen Van Zant (Nancy) of Pacifica preceded her in death.

Born on Sept. 19, 1920, to Stephen and Bernice Williams in Butte, Montana, her early

years on the family homestead gave her an incredible work ethic, a pioneer spirit and a

lifelong love of the outdoors.

Moving from Montana to Oregon to Santa Rosa before settling in San Francisco where

the family ran a boarding house for medical students, she met her future husband Walter

Van Zant on a telephone party line mix-up that led to a blind date, marriage to a

handsome man 11 years her senior, and seven children all born in San Francisco.

She worked nights as a hat-check girl to help support the family and later had a 17-year

career as a counselor at San Francisco Juvenile Hall that helped her put all seven children

through Catholic schools and provide them music lessons. On weekends she worked in

the burgeoning rock scene as a special officer with the San Francisco Police Department.

Later in life she had a successful second career in real estate; lived in Mill Valley,

Pacifica, Kenwood and Fairfield before settling in Sun City Lincoln; enjoyed camping,

casinos and taking her nun friends out for a good margarita; and was the host of a million

family birthday parties, holidays and reunions where she played the piano and had song

sheets for all.

She volunteered for decades, bought her last RV at the age of 90, was active in all of her

parishes and most recently at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Lincoln, and was playing

cards until just days before her passing.

The family would like to thank Roseville Eskaton and Bristol Hospice for their loving

care. Donations are preferred to: St. Joseph Building Fund, 280 Oak Tree Lane, Lincoln,

CA 95648.

In addition to her children, she is survived by 26 grandchildren, 43 great-grandchildren,

12 great-great grandchildren, and nieces, nephews and cousins. Husband Walter Van

Zant Sr. preceded her in death (1969), as did second husband John McKinnon (1991).

There will be a viewing on Sunday, Sept. 22, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Lincoln Funeral

Home, 406 H St., Lincoln, CA. A Rosary will be recited at 10:30 a.m., with a Mass of

Christian Burial at 11 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 23, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 280 Oak

Tree Lane, Lincoln. Burial to follow in Manzanita Cemetery in Lincoln.