Extracted from The Sacramento Bee (Sacramento, CA)
Saturday, October 25, 2008

SYKORA, Elaine Emelia De Souza

Born August 12, 1919 in beautiful Kaumana near Hilo, Hawaii, died October 23, 2008 in Sacramento, California at age 89.

Beloved mother of Susan Kelly-DeWitt of Sacramento and Quanah Kelly II of Petaluma, CA; beloved mother-in-law of David DeWitt and Ginger Kelly; beloved grandmother of Jennifer, Michael, Lisa and Matthew. Elaine is also survived by her youngest of four sisters, Dolores Pelletier of Honolulu, Hawaii and many much-loved nieces and nephews; she was preceded in death by her two husbands, Quanah (Dick) Kelly and Robert Sykora, and by her dear sisters, Irene, Hyacinth and Marie.

Elaine had a sweetness of heart, a love of beauty, and an innate grace that her family will very much miss. They will also miss her lively sense of humor, her charming smile and her spirited approach to life. Her palpable presence will always remain alive and well among us.

Her last years were more difficult than she would have wished, and so her family would like to thank the staff of the Asian Community Nursing Home for their generous and devoted care during her long and often arduous stay there: our affection extends also to the many residents and family members who enriched her life every day.

Any remembrances on her behalf can be made to the Asian Community Nursing Home or the Crocker Art Museum. A private memorial service is in the planning stages.