Elaine Betty Eisner
Elaine B. Eisner, 79 of Benicia California, passed away on November 7, 2024. Elaine was born in Niles, Michigan, the daughter of Robert Eisner and Betty Sholtey Eisner. Elaine spent her childhood in Michigan, graduating from Fremont High School in Fremont, Michigan. While in High School Elaine had her first international experience as a foreign exchange student and has always said this lit the spark for all her travels to come. Elaine went to Western Michigan University where she graduated with a teaching degree, following in the footsteps of a family of Educators. She spent time as a resident assistant during her college years, and shares of many wonderful experiences being a leader and mentor to the women in her dorm. Following college Elaine left Michigan and taught school on the East Coast, before moving to Saudi Arabia to teach school to American Students through Aramco. After this Elaine moved to the Bay Area of California to put down some roots. Benicia has been her home base for the past 30+ years as she worked for United Bank in the City of San Francisco, and later spending 9 years in Jakarta, Indonesia as a project manager for the Bank of Indonesia.
Elaine served for several years on the Benicia Arts & Culture Commission. She participated in a study to learn how many people come to Benicia for art or for an event associated with the arts and spend money while they are in town. She also supported many local charities. She was part of Tuesday Table, a group of women who have met Tuesday morning for at least two decades. More than one of the group members stayed with Elaine while transitioning from one home to another. They are grateful for that generosity.
Elaine had a passion for life, world travel, and connection with others. She was a natural born leader. She would always be the first to encourage you to do something new, chase your dreams, and see the world. She made lifelong friends wherever she went, and to know her was to know love, compassion, understanding, and genuineness. Her phone calls, updated emails, and annual Christmas Letters detailing her year of adventures will be missed. Elaine lived abroad for many years and loved to travel. Her home was furnished with things she bought during the years she lived in Indonesia, and other items collected from different places. With the help of Sue Johnson, the owner of Sue Johnson lamps, she had many custom-made lamps in her house using the fabrics she had purchased around the world. She visited many of her friends and family whenever they were living or spending time abroad. Elaine took her last international trip with her niece, which had been talked about, planned, and rescheduled for years due to the pandemic. The OAT group on this trip kept in touch for the last several years.
Elaine's family in Michigan always looked forward to her visits whenever she was "state side" and always enjoyed stopping by in California for fun times in the city with Aunt Elaine. Christmas' at Uncle Larry and Aunt Jo's with the whole Sholtey Family are cherished memories for us all.
Elaine is proceeded in death by her mother and father Robert "Bob" and Betty Eisner, and special Uncle Larry Sholtey Sr.
Elaine is survived by her Aunt Joann Sholtey, her cousins Ruthann Holmes, Larry Sholtey Jr, Joni Sholtey, her nieces and nephews Chadd (Sondae) Holmes, Josh (Candace) Holmes, Sarah (Steve) Massie, Keeli (John McCaul) Sholtey, and Jake (Deanna Hotchkiss) Sholtey. She is also survived by many great nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her many friends and neighbors in California and around the world who she cherished as family.