Elsie passed peacefully at her home of 73 years on February 18th, 2024, a month shy of her 104th birthday. She was the youngest of nine children born to John and Elisa Pequeno in Paul do Mar, Madeira, Portugal. She immigrated to the United States at the age of 18 to help her brother raise his two young daughters. After arriving at Ellis Island, Elsie lived with her brother and two nieces in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, where she worked at a factory sewing military uniforms during WWII. A decade later she moved to San Diego, California, where she met and married her husband of 47 years, Frank Mendes. She and Frank settled in Point Loma, where they raised their only son, Danny. Elsie had a long and enjoyable career, working 32 years at one of the local San Diego based tuna canneries. Elsie spent her retirement doing what she enjoyed most, taking trips back to her beloved Madeira, traveling throughout Europe with friends, attending daily mass at Saint Agnes Catholic Church, trips to local casinos, and spending time with her many friends and family. She is survived by her son Danny, daughter-in-law Tina, grandsons Daniel (Spencer), Jason (Stacy), Anthony (Whitney), and great grandchildren Chloe, Sophia, and Jordan. Rosary and funeral mass will be held on Thursday, March 7th, 2024 at 9:30 AM at Saint Agnes Catholic Church in Point Loma. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Elsie's memory to Saint Jude's Shrine of the West.
