Elisa Ceja Kelley

Elisa Ceja Kelley was born to Manuel Ceja Sr. and Isabel Ceja on October 1, 1934 in Wilmington, California. She is the youngest of the couple's eleven children. She had a very special relationship with her mother and they were very close. She attended the local schools and graduated from Banning High School, the winter class of 1953. As a young adult Elisa worked at the United States Naval Ship Yard on Terminal Island as a secretary. She met Arthur Kelley in 1958 Elisa was an exceptional dancer and loved to dance to the music of Lucho Gatica. The two shared a passion for dancing, attending concerts and listening to music. They danced at major Latin dance clubs and the Coconut Grove. They saw artists live, such as, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie and his Orchestra. Arthur always took Elisa to the best clubs and to the movie theaters. Many times they would take Isabel to see one of her favorite actor's, Cantinflas.
Arthur remembers Isabel making meatless meals on Friday, such as chile relleno or macaroni and cheese. After years of dating Isabel asked Elisa "What is Arthur's intention?" That very night Elisa asked Arthur the same question and in his pocket was an engagement ring that he showed to Elisa. Elisa kissed Arthur and showed her mom, Isabel the ring. This was indeed a happy day. On October 7, 1961 they were married and two years later started a family. They had their first child, Richard, and would continue to grow as a family in love and size having two more children, Karla and Annette.
Elisa was a very nurturing and loving mother to her children and husband, spending many years as a home maker, caring for her family while Arthur worked. Arthur did not wish for Elisa to work outside the home, and provided her with everything and anything. Elisa was an exceptional cook. Oh my goodness, everything she made was delicious. Just the aroma of walking in the house captured you. The Kelley's would have wonderful birthday parties, barbecues, and get together's with great food and music that brought friends and family together. Elisa made her children's birthday parties very special by making their favorite dinner and their favorite homemade birthday cake.
In 1985 she started working for the Los Angeles Unified School District harbor area schools, which included Hawaiian Ave in Wilmington and Normont Elementary School in Harbor City. Over the course of her twenty-year career she taught at various grade levels, but she really enjoyed teaching Pre K and kindergarten classes the most. She was so loved by her students that when Elisa became ill, her students would make her get well cards and posters with beautiful colors. In 1989 the first of her four grandchildren was born and she loved them all dearly. She preached education to them and showered them with love and affection, as she did with her own children. Elisa was a very strong and well educated woman who was very religious and regularly attended St. Peter and Paul Church. She was a loving and generous wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend.
On December 22, 2013 our beloved Elisa was called to join our Lord in Heaven while being surrounded by her loving family. She is survived by her beloved husband of 51 years Arthur, children Richard, Karla and Annette and grandchildren Christopher, Isabel, Erika and Karlie.

Funeral Home:
Green Hills Mortuary and Memorial Chapel
27501 S.Western Ave.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
US 90275