Elaine Ruth Tobia

Elaine Ruth Tobia entered into eternal life on Friday, December 4, 2009, at her home in Glendale, California, surrounded by family. She was the daughter of the late Peter S. Cossack and Minerva C. Kampfer. Her beloved son Galileo (Leo) G. Tobia predeceased her. She is survived by her daughter Martha Plumtree, and her son Gary Tobia, two grand-daughters, Maria Plumtree and Alexa Ochoa, two great grandchildren, Elena and William Ochoa, one surviving brother, Thomas F. Cossack, Sr. (Troy, NY), and many nieces and nephews. Elaine was born November 15, 1920, in, Rensselaer, NY, grew up in Charleston, SC, and in 1930, the family moved to Albany, NY. She worked at the Watervliet Arsenal during WW II, had her own business as a seamstress, and was a manager at the White Eagle bakery. In 1963 she moved to California with her three children, where she worked for several bakeries, retiring as a Van De Kamp "Lady." Elaine then went into apartment management. She had a keen recollection of past events and her heritage, and as such was the family historian. She instilled the Greek Orthodox faith in her family. She was also a holistic healthcare advocate with an incredible knowledge of how vitamins, minerals and herbs healed the body and passionately assisted many who had health issues, particularly M S. She was ahead of her time in that she recognized that 'phonics' was an integral part of a reading program. She taught her children, nieces, nephews and many other children how to read. Elaine loved God, her family, friends and her country. She will be missed. The Trisigion will be held on Monday, December 14 at 7:00 PM and the funeral service will be held on Tuesday, December 15 at 11:00 AM at St. Anthony's Greek Orthodox Church in Pasadena, CA. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Salvation Army or the National M. S. Society.