Obituary of Lenore Ross Caudill

Lenore Ross Caudill passed away on June 15, 2016 in Sunnyvale, California, comforted by her family and the music of Elvis. Born November 17, 1923 in Portsmouth, Ohio to parents John James Ross and Ila Brickey Ross, Lenore had also lived in Mariposa, Willits, Los Gatos and Campbell, California. Lenore was 92 years old.
Lenore is pre-deceased by her husband of 55 years James Edsel "Press" Caudill, brother James Ross, sister Eunice Harris, and lifelong best friend Helen Archey of Ohio. She is survived by son
Edsel Lee Caudill of Woodside, her steadfast and loyal driver extraordinaire, and her supportive and loving daughter, Anna Jeannine Graffin (Craig), of Napa. She is also survived by step-grandchildren Sally Redfern (Steven) and Spencer Graffin (Elisabeth), and 3 great-grandchildren--Dylan, Abigail and Giarra, and local nieces Phyllis Harris (Bernie), Shirley Harris Sugar (Peter) and Linda Harris Moreno (Dennis), and brother in-law Phillip Harris. Additionally, Lenore is survived by beloved sister June Noel of Eureka and nephews and nieces Earl, John, Thomas, Susan, Sylvia, Valerie, Angela, Nancy and their spouses and children.
Lenore graduated from Portsmouth High School in Ohio in 1941, where she was a member of the National Honor Society. She was first in the state in English and French, and was awarded the Spiers medal in French in 1940. She attended Eastern Kentucky State Teachers College, and in the 1960s returned to college at San Jose State University in the Librarianship program.
Smart, feisty and funny, Lenore could read people with sharp accuracy, and had an equally sharp wit. She took great pride in being a Scorpio, and loved to tell people how mean she could be,
pretending to be greatly offended when they disagreed with her. Up until her last weeks, she was known as a highly competitive Scrabble player with her new friend Rene.
In the 1950s Lenore was a member of the Santa Clara Valley Kennel Club, showing Collies. In 1967, Lenore was a founding member with her husband Press of the Summit Riders Horseman's Association in Los Gatos. Her love of animals was legendary, having raised and cared for many horses, cats and dogs over the years, including her last love, a Borzoi named Scorpio.
Lenore was a fierce reader, particularly of the classics and mysteries, and was always most comfortable with a book in her lap. She was a talented artist and photographer, contributing paintings to Sierra Artists Gallery in Mariposa. Music was always an important part of her life, from classical to Elvis to Bruce Springsteen. In 1988 she was in the tenth row of the Springsteen Tunnel of Love concert with her daughter, singing along to "Born to Run." She was proud to be an Executive Angel of Nashville recording artist Kacey Jones. Although grieving, Lenore picked herself up after the loss of Press in 1998, and lived alone for 12 years on her five-acre property in
Mariposa with her beloved animals. She kept busy, collecting colored glass, learning Tai Chi, teaching herself rock 'n' roll drumming and studying how to use a computer. Appreciation goes to her neighbors and friends, especially Rita Finn and Jose and Maria Lopez, who watched over her and provided her with a community. She was never alone, even when she lived alone.
A special thank you goes to her two "daughters of the heart." Her niece Linda shared her love of horses and art and reminisced with her Auntie Lenore with horse photos shortly before she passed. Family friend Lou Woodbury Catcott brought so much joy and laughter to Lenore after her difficult transition back to the Bay Area. Thank you also to the Phil and Fonnell Reagan family of Washington state who were family to Lenore and Press, and always kept them in their hearts. Also, thank you to M'Jeanne and Elmer Irwin of Los Gatos who celebrated their long friendship on Lenore's birthdays. Sincere appreciation also goes out to the staff at Cedar Crest Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Sunnyvale, who understood her and cared for her until the end.
Lenore will now be at peace and be joyfully reunited with her handsome cowboy Press, whom she missed every day. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to animal rescue groups for Collies, Borzois, Silky/Yorkie Terriers or Kitties.
Services will be Tuesday June 28 at 12:30 PM at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery in Gustine, CA




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