ELLENE ASHCRAFT


1937 - 2011


Ellene was born in Albany, California, on December 22, 1937 and passed away in Rocklin, California on December 8, 2011, with her family by her side. Ellene is survived by Norman, her devoted husband of 50 years; her two sons, Andrew and his wife Shirley, and Robert. She and Norman were also blessed with 2 grand-children, Emma and Anna. Ellene is also survived by her brother Edmund Regalia and his wife Gwen of Walnut Creek, niece Connie, and nephews Douglas, Kenneth and Philip. Ellene grew up in El Cerrito, California with parents Louis and Constance Regalia. She graduated from El Cerrito High School, then attended the University of California, Berkeley and graduated with a major in Art History, and was a member of the Kappa Delta sorority. She continued her education at Berkeley to receive a teaching credential. She taught 5th grade in the Pinole/Hercules School District for several years. She married Norman in 1961 and they lived in El Cerrito and later for 11 years in San Rafael, California, where Andrew and Robert were born. The family relocated to Roseville in 1974. Ellene did some substitute teaching in the Roseville School District. She decided to pursue her interest in artistic endeavors and attended classes in the field of Architectural Drafting at Sierra College. She worked for Modular Homes in Newcastle. Later she did drafting and space design work in hospitals for Steven Short and Associates in Roseville. Throughout her life she enjoyed painting. In retirement she was active in “Never too Late Aerobics” at the Maidu Community Center in Roseville. She and Norman participated in the Senior Bible Study group at Valley Springs Church in Roseville.