Lenore Ruth Eckstein

Sadly, Lenore Eckstein lost her battle with cancer on February 4, 2016 surrounded by family at home. She was 89 years old and will be greatly missed. She was born Lenore Ruth Peterson and was raised in Long Beach in a family of Swedish immigrants. After high school graduation, she met her husband, Oscar Eckstein, who was serving in the US Navy. They married and settled in his hometown of San Jose. When her husband died suddenly in a military air crash, Lenore became a widow at age 24 with two young daughters. She never remarried. With tremendous courage and strength, Lenore decided to stay in San Jose and build a full life. People were drawn to her humor, flair for the dramatic and the twinkle in her eye. In retirement, she moved to Rancho Mirage and embraced the Southwestern desert for over 25 years. In 2004, to be closer to her family, she relocated to Santa Cruz. She was a lifelong social bridge player, a sought-after fortune-teller, and an unconventional home decorator. She did things her way, never seeking advice from friends or family. She loved Hollywood movies, theater, books, baseball, story telling, lighthouses, boats, American Indian Culture, rodeos, and hot air balloons. Her greatest pride and joy, however, was her family. She leaves her two daughters, Hannah Eckstein and Robin Lasser, her two granddaughters, Allison Lasser and Jennifer Zeszut, her son-in-law Sam Zeszut, and her three great-grandchildren, Fiona, Rowan, and Henry Zeszut, all of Santa Cruz. A celebration of her life will be held at Villa Santa Cruz Clubhouse (2435 Felt Street) in Santa Cruz on Sunday, February 28 from 2 pm– 5pm.