Elayne Necchi Obituary

Alice Elayne Necchi, a former long-time resident of Durango, passed July 8 in Bayfield, Colorado. She was 100 years old.

Elayne was born on September 20, 1924, in the country around Cook, Minnesota. She weighed three and one-half pounds full-term, and was taken home to a log cabin. Her Grandma Clara said, "Elayne isn't long for this world," However, she proved her wrong and lived to almost 101 years old!

Elayne was raised in Cook, Minnesota, and was the oldest of three girls. Her parents, Arnold and Alice Gustafson, worked at the Cheer Café, and later owned the Mecca Hotel and restaurant, where Elayne worked during her childhood. After graduating from Cook High School, Elayne attended secretarial school at Virginia Junior College for the next year in Virginia, Minnesota. When World War II started, Elayne traveled to San Diego, where she stayed with her aunt and worked for Convair, a company that made planes for the war. During this time, her future husband, John, was stationed in San Diego for nine months, when they met. John was shipped out again for seven months and ended up in Tokyo Bay for the signing of the war ending treaty.

Shortly thereafter, Elayne and John were married in the Little Chapel of the Roses in Chula Vista, California. John took Elayne to Durango, where they made their home. Throughout the coming years, John and his brother, Fred, built homes and Elayne worked for Ohio Oil Company, and the La Plata County Department of Human Services. They also owned the Royal Motel in Durango and a furniture store in Cortez, Colorado.

The highlight of Elayne's life were her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Many memories were made with picnics in the mountains around Silverton, hunting mushrooms (a family tradition), and other family activities.

Elayne had a strong Christian faith. They attended St. Columba Catholic Church. Elayne belonged to the Altar and Rosary Society and Pilot Club, a group of women who worked in the oil industry. The Italian ladies in Durango taught Elayne how to cook Italian food, which was enjoyed by all of the family. Elayne loved to prepare fresh fruits and vegetables that came from the garden John grew. She was a voracious reader and enjoyed getting together with all of her friends. She liked sewing clothes for her granddaughter and herself.

Elayne is survived by her daughter, Doris, and son, Tom (Lorna), a sister, Joann, a granddaughter, Apryl (Kevin), five great grandchildren, Karli, Landen, Casey, Brady, and Nolan, her favorite niece, Janine (Mike), and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Alice and Arnold Gustafson, her husband, John, brother-in-law, Fred, a sister, Doris, and her grandson, Corey Jacobson.

A Celebration of Life and interment at Greenmount Cemetery will take place at a later date.