Elaine Massey, born Elaine Dorothy Zanetta on February 6, 1935, died in the early evening on New Years Day, January 1, 2024 of complications from heart disease.
The sixth of six daughters, Elaine was born to Giovanni and Giuseppina Zanetta in Orangevale, California where the family lived and operated a farm and dairy ranch. She graduated from San Juan High School and attended California State University Sacramento, where she met Clarke Massey. Elaine and Clarke married in Sacramento, California in 1956.
Their journey as teachers and in athletics took them from Vacaville to East Sacramento, Foothill Farms, then Rancho Cordova for 8 years and finally Folsom Lake for 23 years where they raised their two sons. In this time, Elaine was a proud housewife and mother, a beloved teacher and eventually the Vice Principal at Mills Jr. High School in Rancho Cordova, California for 25 years where she touched many lives and ultimately retired.
Elaine was an active member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Folsom, California where she was, at one point, head of the parish council, as well as ran the CCD educational program. She continued to volunteer at the church into her 80s. It is simple to say, “she lived a life of service”.
She travelled extensively with her husband Clarke until his death in 2003. Elaine is survived by her sons, Bill and Rex, 6 grandchildren and one great grandchild.
A funeral mass will be held at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Folsom at 11:00 AM on Monday, January 29, 2023, following recitation of the Rosary at 10:30 AM. A reception will be held on site at St. John’s following the mass.
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