Eloise Alvarado Hussey

1924 - 2010

Eloise Alvarado Hussey
11/19/1924 - 3/8/2010

Eloise Alvarado Hussey was born into the loving arms of her mother, Juanita Alvarado 85 years ago on November 19, 1924. She was the 7th of what would be 10 children born to Juanita and Gilbert Alvarado in Modesto, California. Her children remember many wonderful years of visiting the family ranch in Oakdale where memories of barnyard animals prevailed. Imagine the idyllic life of siblings meandering through the fields, running, playing, fishing, swimming, tending to the endless chores of the dairy farm and beginning and ending each day on the lap of a parent by the cast iron cook stove in the corner of the family kitchen.
Eloise was active in many areas publically. She cherished her friends and memories which were born of her participation in the Loyola Guild of St. Ignatius Church in Sacramento where she served in many capacities, including President. She was an instrumental part of the Christmas Tree Lane fundraiser which continues to this day. Her more recent involvements include 17 years of volunteerism to the Cancer Society, Friends of the Volunteers, treasured memories of the Garden Club and a proud sister of the Red Hat Hoochie Mamas who she continued to pay accolades to and share stores of to her daughters up to her last days. She was an accomplished seamstress who singlehandedly raised and supported her four children for nine years. She met the love of her life, Jay Hussey in Sacramento in 1968 and planned her marriage to him on July 20, 1969. Her family laughs over the memory of their ceremony coinciding with the famous walk on the moon and the rush to complete the ceremony in time to turn the television on to watch the landing. Jay and Eloise were fortunate to celebrate 40 years of marriage recently with a special cruise to the islands.
In fun, they loved to spend time R'ving, any type of dancing, entertaining, gardening, cruising, 33 years of friendship and memories with the Auburn Elks Lodge and time with their family.
Eloise was a stylish lady who loved fashion and any opportunity to get dressed up for social fun. She never fully realized her natural beauty, but had fun with the fact that no one could even come close to guessing her age. Her children gave that secret away 10 years ago when they threw both Jay and Eloise a "three-quarter,"…aka 75th birthday party. The most recent fun with this was during her extended hospital stay where "every nurse in ICU had to go visit the woman in the corner room who was claiming to be 85 years of age!"
She is survived by a large family which includes her loving husband Jay, daughters Diana Parisi of Salinas, Lori Patterson of Grass Valley and twins Janis Quinn (Kelly) of Colfax and Joseph Parisi (Holly) of Idaho, grandchildren Ryan Patterson, Jacob and Kevin Quinn, Bree Wilder (Shayla), Pia Wilder Smith (Robert), Savannah Goodwin, Drew Goodwin, twins Jessica and Antonio, Sarah and Kaylee Parisi, two great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, sisters Jane Watson (husband Jim) Helena Buckley and brother Lee Alvarado.
In January, Eloise underwent open heart surgery to replace two failing heart valves. Due to unfortunate complications from that surgery she was not able to recover and lost her courageous battle peacefully and with ease in the early morning hours of March 8, 2010. As in many areas of her life, Eloise fully orchestrated her own passing and found the courage and strength to pass her acceptance of what would be to her family in love.
A woman from the generation of high standards and etiquette, Eloise wanted to thank every person that had sent cards, flowers, and well wishes during her illness with a personal thank you card. We did not get the chance to carry this wish out for her but acknowledge now with gratitude the love and support you gave her.
Her family invites you to share in our memorial and tribute of her life this Friday, March 12,2010 at 11 a.m. at Chapel of the Hills, Auburn, followed by a party of her asking at the Elks Lodge in Auburn.