Elaine Marie Atkinson

Elaine Marie Atkinson passed away peacefully, at home on March 14, 2017, in Visalia, with her husband Robert L. Atkinson holding her hand. Graveside Services will be held Thursday, March 23, 2017, 1:00PM, at Visalia Cemetery, 1300 West Goshen Avenue, Visalia, California. Mrs. Atkinson was born Elaine Seltzer on November 13, 1929, in Chicago, Illinois, to Caroline and Morris Seltzer. She moved to Southern California with her parents when she was 14 years old. While attending Roosevelt High School, she met and married Joseph L. Arce. Their family consisted of four children: Joseph Mac Arce, Eve-Marie Arce Bose, Sandra Elizabeth Yaruss, and Denise Ellen Holder. Elaine’s legacy, her love of life and people, continues through her family. Elaine will be missed by her husband, Robert (Bob), her four children; four stepchildren: William Atkinson, Donna Abs, Alice Jacobs, and Robert Atkinson; eight grandchildren: J. Scott Yaruss, Nathan Arce, Olivia Brooks Allan, Cecily Brooks Mendell, Ariana Nicole Nelson, Marisa Dawn Kupiec, Michael Shane Arce, and Megan Danielle Arce; and 14 great grandchildren. Her great grandchildren, ranging in age from 21 years to eight months and living on east and west coasts, include: Emily Yaruss, Eleanor Yaruss, Cash Mendell, Graham Mendell, Brycen Kupiec, Noah Nelson, Everly Nelson, Georgia Arce, Everett Kupiec, Alexa Kupiec, Vincent Arce, Philippa Caroline Allan, Sutter Kupiec, and Brooks Mendell. As a very young women, Elaine tended to her own children and nieces and nephews. After her children were in school she worked for a few years at the Los Angeles Times Mirror. Her children’s activities involved Elaine with the PTA as well as Boy and Girls Scouts. Once her children were grown and on their own, Elaine already a grandmother, dedicated significant time to becoming an insurance agent. She was employed with the Southern California AAA in Pasadena. Life changed again when Elaine became Mrs. Robert Atkinson. They moved from Southern California to Visalia where they have lived since 1982, the same year they were married. In Visalia, Elaine and Bob were active members of the Visalia United Methodist Church, engaged in the church activities including prayer, social, and community groups. Elaine traveled the world with her husband Bob widening their already significant list of friends. Elaine is predeceased by a sister Eve Sandra, who died at age 3 1/2, her parents, and her great granddaughter Aubry Rose Nelson. The family expresses sincere appreciation to Elaine’s caregivers, Connie Variano and Tina McMahan, and to Grace Torres. Information regarding donations made “In Memory of Elaine Atkinson” will be available at the Graveside Services. A memorial tribute may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com

Elaine Marie Atkinson

November 13, 1929 - March 14, 2017