Obituary of Eleanor Fain

At her request, no services will be held for Eleanor Fain who passed away at her home in Soquel on March 30, 2014. Born to Russian Immigrants in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Eleanor moved to Los Angeles with her family at the age of 4. She attended grammar school and high school there, and worked in a variety store selling Hallmark and American Greeting cards. Her family will forever cherish the stories she would tell of her most favorite job while growing up, of working in the Popsicle plant inserting the sticks into the yet to be frozen desert, but unfortuanly laid off, because she was not fast enough on the line with the Popsicle sticks. Eleanor's sense of humor, coupled with her frank "no filter's" attitude toward life and its hurdles, helped to shape her loving family into the strong willed individuals they have become. If you didn't want to see her when she was alive, she didn't want you to come see her when she was dead, but she will truly be missed by all. She met her future husband, Charles Fain at a USO Dance and the couple moved to Santa Cruz 45 years ago; continuing to raise their family here. She was a wonderful mom, excellent cook, and up until the last few years, enjoyed her ability to walk everywhere; never learning to drive positively adding to her longevity. If shopping was a sport, she could have become a professional, and her family will always hold dear, the memories of going to the mall with her. She was fondly known as the "Queen of Bleach" because there wasn't a stain made that she could not conquer. Eleanor collected china and dolls, was an accomplished gardener, and was passionate about roses. A lover of animals, she collected bottles and cans annually, and donated her proceeds to the SPCA. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Janet and Jim Gordon of Coos Bay, OR; her daughters Nancy Vierra of Soquel, and Kerry Waltrip of Watsonville. She also leaves her grandchildren, James (Sarah) and Jared (Jennifer) Gordon, Ondine Vierra (Adam Davidow and their son Tristan); great granddaughter, Jamie LeAnn Gordon, nephew Ron Letvin, extended family in Florida, friends Ellen Grasso and Mel Reichert, and her cousin and dearest friend, Evelyn Lessin of Minneapolis MN, One of five children, Eleanor was preceded in death by her two brothers and two sisters, her son in law, Ken Vierra in 2006, and her husband Charles Fain in 1991. A private committal is under the direction of Benito and Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel. Any kind acts of charity can be made to the Santa Cruz SPCA or to Hospice of Santa Cruz County.