Elinore M. Buehler Stanley

Elinore Stanley grew up in Stoughton, Wisconsin, where she graduated from Stoughton High School as valedictorian of her class. She continued her education at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, graduated with high honors as a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and finally received her Master of Arts degree in English at UCLA.

Married to Don Stanley (1940-2003), her high school sweetheart, and a radio and television announcer, Elinore was the mother of three children: Jon Stanley, Kristin Spayde and Donna Chaffee; grandmother to four: Kevin Stanley, Dr. Erik Spayde, Katie Spayde and Ian Chaffee; and great grandmother to Ethan Spayde, Troy Spayde and Emilie Stanley.

Her professional life was devoted to writing and teaching. In Wisconsin, Elinore worked in the advertising department of several department stores and wrote and broadcast a fashion show over radio station WIBA. After moving to Los Angeles, Elinore began a teaching career at Hollywood High School where, for twenty years, she taught English and served as chairman of the English Department, receiving many awards for her work with student writers. In Los Angeles, she was on the board of the downtown chapter of the American Association of University Women.

After moving from Los Angeles to Westlake Village, Elinore became a lifetime member of Friends of the Westlake Library and volunteered at Westlake Medical Center Auxiliary. She was also a member of Westlake Women’s Club and Phi Beta Kappa Alumni of Southern California.

Following her husband’s retirement from television, the Stanleys traveled extensively, visiting more than 70 different countries. They were members of the Westlake Yacht Club and sustaining donors for the Center for Performing Arts, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. Don Stanley died January 20, 2003.