Obituary of Eleanor Kathleen Lacaze

In the lives of her loved ones, Eleanor Kathleen Lacaze played numerous significant roles: mother, grandmother, wife, friend and the embodiment of tenacity, generosity and sincerity. She was born in Comstock Park, Mich., on May 20, 1932, to Monica (Grobaski) and Peter Zelinski. She loved Michigan, from her grandparents' farm in Boyne Falls, where she played as a child with her half-sister Martha, to Mackinac Island. In 1950, she moved to Napa, Calif., where she met Robert John Lacaze at a ballpark. They were married in November 1951 and raised two children, Linda and Gary. Eleanor was very frugal, but her generosity never faltered. She ensured her children had milk money for school and trips to Disneyland. She graciously opened her home to neighbors, family and friends. Her grandchildren never went without gifts for special occasions. What she couldn't buy, she obtained through determination, like the time she drove Gary to Willie Mays' home in San Francisco so he could meet his favorite baseball player. Eleanor was an avid card-player - she particularly liked Hearts. Her talents also encompassed solving puzzles and word scrambles. She honored her Polish heritage and enjoyed taking her grandchildren to the American Polish Festival in Michigan. Robert died in 1989, and Eleanor moved to Kingman in 2004 to be closer to family. Her final home was White Cliffs Senior Living. After struggling with cancer for several years, she passed away April 6. She is survived by children Gary Lacaze and Linda Morrison; their spouses Melodie and Gary; grandchildren David Bash and James and Matthew Morrison and Andrea (Smith), Michael, Cherise (Benson), Nishelle, Katherine, Nathan, Daniel and Olivia Lacaze; and nine great-grandchildren. A public memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. May 23 at Manzanita Baptist Church, 2040 Golden Gate Ave. Thoughts and condolences may be submitted to the family at www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.com Arrangements were placed under the care of Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home and Crematory.