Monterey

Grounded in life, immersed in Monterey, sustained by her love of all living creatures For almost a century, Elie was a part of the Monterey Peninsula! She was born on Madison St. in 1928 and died a half mile away on San Bernabe Dr. in 2024. In between, she was a student, cannery worker, wife, single mom, hard-working post office worker, grandmother, great grandmother, great-great grandmother and a dear friend to the many people and animals who filled her life.

Elie was the only child of Myrtle Melville Chavoya and Paul Raymond 'Ray' Chavoya, all descended from original Californianos with generations residing in Monterey. As a teenager Elie worked part-time in the canneries, packing sardines. After high school she worked at the Monterey Post office and attended Alisal JC. There, she met Rodger Curtice and they were married in 1949, building their home and creating a family of 6 children.

Elie had energy for lots of kids and animals. She had strength and courage, and when her marriage ended, she took her 6 kids and a hound dog to live in Guadalajara, Mexico, for a year. She returned to the post office and worked the 2am wee-hour shift so she could be home when her kids got out of school. When she retired, she caught up on sleep and enjoyed well-earned freedom.

Elie was a talented singer. She could've been a professional.

We're grateful that she recorded "One For My Baby" at the Colony Club. Most of us have her annual Happy Birthday song saved on our phone answering machines, never tobeerased.

Friends, both lifelong and new, were her focus. From San Carlos Elementary through Monterey High, from neighbors to workplace, from dogs to their guardians, all ages loved Elie. She was fun and funny, warm and connected.

She appreciated nature and respected all life.

Ants were escorted out of the house. Bird baths had floating twigs added, creating life rafts for insects that might accidentally fall in. She became a vegetarian and could never come to terms with why god created carnivores.

Elie was blessed with a young spirit that never left. She said, "You've got to be curious. Gotta find a laugh somewhere.

Wherever you are in life, find a reason to be glad about it. Everybody has to find their own way. If they're lucky, they will. It's within you. There is a way."

She was deeply loved by her six children: Michael Curtice (Diana), Kim Curtice Haltiner (Jeff), Matthew Curtice (deceased), Erin Curtice Looker, Mark Curtice (Michelle), and Luke Curtice. She was an endless source of fun and encouragement to her ten grandchildren: Mike, Corynn, Caitlin, Seth, Jennifer, Rachel, Christine, Will, Luke and Anthony. In recent years, a new generation of great and great-great grandchildren has joined the Curtice clan!

We will miss Elie, Mom, Nonna. She is our heart, our history. Monterey is overlaid with her presence. She leaves a legacy of kindness, generosity, stories, songs, laughter, countless homemade holiday cards featuring her dogs Ella and Shellbe in festive wear, beans, rice and tortillas, enchiladas, waffles, coffee mornings and long walks. Her story is too long and full to tell in one sitting.