Our dear friend, Elsie Valdez Windsor Cook passed away today, Jan 11, 2015, at the age of 78 after a long illness.  We knew Elsie for so long, that we accepted her as our "aunt" and we were cousins to her four children: Lin, Ben, Michael and Stephanie. Her husband Ben preceded her in passing.  I remember the many fun weekends spent with the Windsor clan at our house in Mill Valley or theirs when they lived in Grants Pass, Oregon where Ben and Elsie were from; and when they lived in San Jose, California.  I especially remember when my sister, Diana, who owned a time share in Las Vegas, where Elsie was then living.  We spent a week getting to know Las Vegas, seeing shoes, the Hoover Dam. The red and golden desert of Nevada and having Elsie's famous spaghetti.  I will always remember Her laugh and her beautiful dark red hair.  She will be missed.  I believe that mom was there for her waiting on the other side in heaven for Elsie, old friends who experienced, "Sam" together, births, growing up, weddings and grand babies together..  Elsie called mom's name and mom said it was time. Hugs and prayers for the Windsor and Valdez families.