Eloise Trotter

Eloise was born Louise LaVina Best in Okmulgee, Okla., to Georgie and Ferb Best, and died Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2010. Her father, an oil man, transferred to Taft, Calif., when she was still an infant. By the time she started school, the family had moved to McKittrick, where she attended early elementary school. Another job took the family to Bakersfield, Calif., where Eloise grew up, graduated high school, married and raised two children. Eloise was a vibrant woman and used her people skills in a variety of ways, both professionally and personally. During World War II, she worked at the Ration Board and was responsible for coupon/chit distribution to local families. She was involved in P.T.A. and attended district and national conferences; was president of both the elementary and high school parent/teacher organizations; and belonged to the "Mother Singers," a group of about 50 women who performed throughout Kern County. Later in life, she obtained her Real Estate Broker''s License and was a viable property resource in the Newhall area, where she lived for more than 20 years. She moved to Atascadero in the early 1970s and became involved with Business and Professional Women and the Historical Society. One of her greatest joys as a docent, was having time to wander through and learn about the varied exhibits and share her knowledge of the collections and artifacts with local and out-of-town visitors. She was a member of the Atascadero Women''s Club, where she worked tirelessly on fund-raising events for the local scholarship programs. She joined Women of the Moose and became a Senior Regent (the highest level within the group) and traveled to Florida to participate in their national graduation ceremonies. Throughout her lifetime, she enjoyed working with her hands and created intricate patterns in petit point and needlepoint, crocheted slippers and scarves for family and friends and worked with ceramics painting unusual pieces she enjoyed sharing. Earlier in her life, she sang, loved soap operas and could whistle as sweetly as any bird. An elegant lady, Eloise loved all the new fashions, make up and accessories. She kept many department stores happy and thriving while impressing her friends. Thankfully, she worked part-time for several years at Erica''s Dress Shop in Atascadero. Eloise is survived by her daughter, Roberta West-Thompson (Kim): son, Gary West (Diane): two grandsons; three great-grandchildren; three nephews Vern, Bob and Tom West and their families; and her devoted friend and sister-in-law, Mary Anderson. She was preceded in death by husbands Robert M. West, John Fulfer, Rollie Lendman and Bob Trotter. There will be a family memorial service at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 8, 2011, at Chapel of the Roses, 3450 El Camino Real in Atascadero. Additionally, there will be a celebration of her life for family and friends at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2011, at the Atascadero Moose Hall, 8507 El Camino Real in Atascadero. She requested that as many as possible participate in this joyful celebration to share stories of her life and good times. She''ll be watching and smiling! Her ashes will be scattered along with those of her beloved cat, Miss Kitty, and dog, Harry, both of whom left this world several years ago. For details, call her daughter at 528-8861.