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Elaine Shine

1916-2011

Elaine Ida Shine died peacefully in her home in Temelec, town of Sonoma, on July 2, 2011. She would have turned 95 just three days later.

Elaine was preceded in death by her loving husband, James; her parents, Arthur and Esther Paulson; her beloved brother, Kermit Paulson; dearest aunt, Mamie Forster; cousin, Mel Magnuson; dear sisters-in-law, Winifred Shine and Lucille Mannahan; brothers-in-law, Horance Mannahan and Harris Shine; niece, Nancy Moore; and many other in-laws, cousins and friends.

She is survived by her loving son, Raymond, and daughter-in-law, Kathy Shine; as well as by dearest and devoted friend Ellie Dossee, who was like a loving daughter to Elaine and James and who was the single most instrumental friend and caregiver who made mom's final days at home as restful and peaceful as they were. Both Ray and Kathy will be forever grateful to Ellie for the love, company and relief that she offered to their mother.

Elaine is also survived by dear cousin, Larrie Magnuson; sister-in-law, Gladys Paulson; nieces, Penny Hill and Karyn Paulson; nephews, Bennett Mannahan, John Mannahan and Tom Moore; step-grandchildren, Kirk Edison Jr. and Kevin Edison; and many other extended family members and friends.

Elaine was born in Portland, Ore. She never knew her father well as he was killed in an industrial accident when Elaine was just age 3. In the 1930s, her Swedish immigrant mother moved Elaine and her brother, Kermit, to San Francisco. Only the rolling hills of Sonoma County were held more dear to Elaine than the bustling hills of the City by the Bay. It was in San Francisco during World War II that she met and later married James, a native of Oklahoma who was a sailor passing through on his way to deployment in the Solomon Islands.

James, Elaine and Ray resided in Walnut Creek during the late '50s and '60s. In 1973, James and Elaine moved to Glen Ellen, Sonoma County, where they became the proprietors and operators of Truman's Mountain Farm, a rehabilitation and counseling facility for recovering alcoholics. They ran "The Farm" throughout the '70s and into the '80s, before retiring and moving to Sonoma. Many are those who visited the Farm and regained a portion of their lives through the guidance, counsel and compassion of James and Elaine. Many of Elaine's deepest and most enduring friendships were developed while she and James operated The Farm.

Elaine shared with James a love of animals, particularly the many dogs, horses, donkeys and goats that shaped the property with them at The Farm. Elaine was seldom seen without a much doted-upon dog at her side or in her lap, including her special little friend "Sophie" who was with her at the end. In her more robust days, never a morning did pass without her fondly attending to the hummingbird feeder that hung just outside her kitchen window. She also marveled appreciatively at the frequent visit of quail and turkeys and deer that appeared along the streambed that ran behind her Temelec home.

Elaine was also an avid fan of the San Francisco Giants, and she rarely missed watching or listening to one of their games. She took great delight and pride in her team when they won the 2010 World Series. Indeed, the Giants broadcast from Tiger Stadium in Detroit was playing the background as she took her final breath. To memorialize her devotion to the Giants, an inscribed brick will be set into the Walk of Champions that will encircle AT&T Park in 2012. The brick will read:

My Ma Elaine Shine

Saw Her Final Game

VS. Detroit 7/2/11

Elaine was under the care of Hospice of Petaluma for the final three months of life and we cannot praise that service enough. All of the nurses, care-workers and other facilitators attending to her in her final days were a Godsend of comfort, guidance and relief. It was that service that mainly enabled mom to stay at home, in comfortable surroundings, relatively pain-free and restful.

It was Elaine's wish that there not be a funeral or service. She and James were both very appreciate of the charity and service of St. Anthony's Foundation in San Francisco at 150 Golden Gate Ave., San Francisco, CA 94102. Elaine was a dedicated and frequent donor to that nonprofit. Should anyone be moved to member her in a special way, a donation to St. Anthony's or to the Hospice of Petaluma made in Elaine's name would always be appropriate