Delena Gnesa

1920 - 2010

Delena (Toddy) Gnesa
July 16, 1920 - September 27, 2010
Delena Drum, nicknamed Toddy by her father, was born and raised in Santa Barbara County. She was the 7th of nine children born to Frank and Lilah Drum. At the age of three, she moved with her family from Cat Canyon near Los Alamos to the Drum Ranch, which is now known as Drum Canyon. As a child, her and her siblings rode horseback to the Los Alamos Elementary School, a ten mile round trip each day. She lived on the Drum Ranch until the age of 19, when she met and married Leo Gnesa in 1939. Together they had 3 children, Noreen (Carl) Loveall, Lee (Linda) Gnesa and Shirley (Joe) Leonard. All the while raising her children, she worked hand in hand with her husband Leo. From farming, ranching and dairy cows. She could and did, do it all.
After raising her children and later in life, she went to work for the Lompoc Unified School District. She spent 28 years taking great pride in her job. A woman who thought more about others before herself, she always had time to devote to children who needed extra help. From math and reading tutoring to a friendly ear and solid advice, she was constantly and dependably, available. This unselfish trait is what endeared her to all that she met. Over the years, Toddy and her husband also took in foster children and whole entire families who were in need. Bringing them to the family ranch until they were ready to strike out on their own again. To this day, and to so many, she is known graciously and simply, as Mom.
Upon retiring from the School District and then losing her husband in 1984, life for Toddy began a new phase. She spent her time at home on the Gnesa Ranch tending to her yard and garden, traveling, crocheting master pieces, donating her time to various local organizations and of course, her family. She was blessed to have six grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and four greatgreat-grandchildren.
Toddy was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, Leo Gnesa; her brothers Lyman, Jack, Clarence (Swede) and Frank Drum; her sisters Eunice Larsen, Minnie Gnesa and Hazel Martin; and son-in-law Joe Leonard. She has one surviving sister, Helen Perry of Fresno.
Toddy was a woman who asked for very little for herself but gave enormously of herself, to others. A woman who placed little value in "things" but felt family was priceless and indispensable. For Toddy, family did not necessitate a blood relation; it was the bonding of hearts and the joys of love, with those in her life. How blessed we all were to have her and the countless ways she touched our lives. She was truly one of the most giving and unselfish women, but most importantly, she was our most cherished example of heart. We shall painfully miss her love, strength, spirit for life, but most of all, her smiling face.

A private memorial was held at her request.