Elaine Margaret Eldridge

For those of us who knew Elaine, the world was a better place. She welcomed you into her world wholeheartedly, and shared it with you. She was supervisor, educator, advisor, confidant, best friend, mother and mentor all rolled into one.

Elaine was born on February 5, 1929 in Hawthorne, California to Anna and Louis Bisbines and spent most of her life there. She had two brothers, Richard Bisbines and her older brother Phil Cota, whom she adored as a surrogate father. She was a teenager during WWII and lying about her age, worked several part-time jobs while attending Inglewood high school.

Elaine married Richard Andrew Pillar on June 26, 1949 in Inglewood, California, and they made their home in Hawthorne with their children Julianne Marie Pillar (Heath), Steven Richard Pillar, and Christopher Louis Pillar, all born in Inglewood.

In March 1952, Elaine joined Northrop and a 44-year career began. At the time of her retirement Elaine was the Manager of the Employee Involvement Department and was affectionately called Earth Mother by her staff, a name that fit Elaine perfectly. Actively involved in the community, Elaine was a great supporter of the Hawthorne YMCA, the Hawthorne American Little League, and all the other activities her three children could participate in.

After the passing of her husband, Richard, in 1974, Elaine was in hot pursuit of her degree, graduating with her Bachelor’s at the same time as her daughter, Juli. During her studies she had met her future husband, Al. Elaine and Alvin Jay Eldridge were married in 1982, in Hawthorne. Al was already father to Bruce F. Eldridge and Kathleen L. Eldridge (Minner), and an Engineer who also worked for Northrop.

She loved Northrop and was a great supporter of maintaining the history of Northrop, and a supporter of the Western Museum of Flight. Elaine and Al were also very involved with the Northrop Management Club, Al serving as President in 1982-83 and Elaine in 1984-85 with the Management Club honoring them as joint-Person of the Year. They retired together from Northrop in 1996, with a total of 88 years of service to the company and moved to Lake San Marcos.

Retirement did not mean slowing down, as Elaine and Al spent even more time with their venture, Antiques Enterprize. They sold antiques at several area malls and at shows throughout the area for many years. The antique business is being carried on by Elaine’s children - Chris, and Steven Pillar and Juli Heath.

Everyone who knew Elaine knew she only had two speeds – full ahead and stop. No going slowly, ever. Elaine met life full on and shared her joy with everyone around her and took us all along on the ride. The world is a little emptier now for all of us. Elaine Eldridge has gone home.

Elaine is survived by her husband, Alvin Eldridge of Lake San Marcos; daughter Juli Pillar Heath, son-in-law Daniel Heath and grandson Michael, all of Melbourne, Florida; sons Christopher and Steven Pillar both of Hawthorne; her loving niece Nicki Trout and family of Oceanside; Maria Cisneros, her longtime helper; and a large extended family including the Bisbines, Walters, Roberston, Kuric, Scott, Cota and Pillar families.