This is part two of a two part column.

Elaine Roloff, my 92-year-old neighbor, has a captivating story. Having moved to Seattle from Northern Minnesota to be a part of the war effort as a riveter at Boeing, Elaine’s memories of early adulthood are vivid and inspiring, and her story has only just begun. As I described in part one of this article last week, Elaine lived in multiple apartments with her husband, Lester Hudlow. She had her first child, Karmen, in 1947 and with their growing family, the Hudlows decided to move to bigger house in downtown Kirkland. After finding the home in 1950, Elaine and her family knew it was the house for them and moved in right away.

After the move, Elaine and Lester had two more daughters, Leslie in 1954, and Colleen in 1956. The three girls all went to Norkirk Elementary, which had not yet become Peter Kirk. They attended Kirkland Junior High, which once stood where Heritage Park is today. Still remaining at the park is the stone arch enveloped with vines that was once an entry point to the school.

In 1960, when the girls were 4, 6 and 12, Elaine and Lester were finishing building an even bigger house in Rose Hill. One day, a construction worker came to the Hudlow’s home bringing Lester with him. The man told Elaine that Lester was sick and seemed to be short of breath. Elaine rushed him to the small downtown Kirkland hospital. Unfortunately, Lester had a heart attack and died. It was a hard time for the family. As Elaine described, “The girls came home from school one day and they didn’t have a father.”

Elaine had a lot on her plate as a single mother of three young children, one of whom wasn’t even in school yet. Elaine and the girls kept the house in Kirkland, and continued their work on the Rose Hill home until it sold.

“I had a lot of work to do,” Elaine said. “I took care of my family and even did my own yard work. It was a busy time.”

Colleen, Elaine’s youngest daughter, wasn’t old enough to attend school, and with no access to childcare, Elaine wasn’t able to work. They had to get by on the children’s social security and the family’s savings.

Around 1964, Colleen began attending elementary school and Elaine could get a job. She began working for the school district as a baker. She made all sorts of meals that were sent out to elementary students in the district.

“My specialty was yeast rolls,” Elaine said, beaming at the thought. “I liked working and even when I could have stopped, I didn’t.”

Eventually, even the girls got jobs, working at the A&W fast food drive-in.

Elaine points out her living-room window, telling me about the people who once lived in the houses in our neighborhood, and the things they would do together. Elaine was especially enthusiastic when she recalled the Monday night shopping excursions she would have with her friends. When the stores were open especially late, Elaine and her neighbors would eat an early dinner together and go shopping in downtown Seattle. Despite the challenges of being a single mother during that time, Elaine found ways to enjoy each day.

Later on, after Elaine’s daughters had grown up and moved out of the house, some of Elaine’s friends introduced her to Oscar Roloff, a Pearl Harbor survivor who had become deaf in one ear due to the impact of an explosion. Oscar and Elaine became acquainted and in July of 1983, they got married. They lived in the West of Market Kirkland home together, and made memories traveling to Hawaii for reunions with those who were on the U.S.S. Tucker with Oscar during the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Unfortunately, however, in 1999, Oscar passed away from prostate cancer.

Today, Elaine enjoys spending time with her daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She keeps busy with gardening and friends, and strives to get out of the house every day. She stays updated on church happenings and has weekly lunches with friends.

Elaine’s story is so inspiring to me. Her resilience, hope, optimism and enthusiasm reminds me how important it is to appreciate every waking moment. I’m so lucky to have people like Elaine in my life, someone I can learn from and look up to. Elaine perseveres and I can’t wait to learn more about some of the inspiring things she has accomplished. As a long-time Kirkland resident, we’re very lucky to have her.

Allison Hoff is a 13 year old Kirkland resident.