Elva Oliva Blair of Greenfield passed away at her home on February 18, 2026. She was 101 ½ years old. She was born July 14, 1924 to Iginio and Delfina Sciaroni, pioneers in the early Salinas Valley Grade A Dairy Industry. At the age of 6, Elva’s parents purchased a dairy just North of Greenfield and it is here that Elva and her sister Nettie grew up and where she learned the true meaning of hard work, a skill passed down to her children. Elva only spoke Swiss when she started Greenfield Grammar School. She relayed her daily lessons to her parents each evening and they all became proficient English speakers.

One of Elva’s favorite childhood memories on the ranch was canning with her mother. She and her sister, dressed in their bathing suits, would help peel the fruits. When there was a break, they would run out into the garden sprinkler and then return to work. This was how they handled the stifling hot kitchen. Canning was something Elva continued through her married life.

Elva graduated from King City High School with the class of 1943. It was here where she made life long friends. After high school, she attended Armstrong’s Business School in Berkley. She later worked at Bank of America. She also helped the priest’s housekeeper at St. John’s Catholic Church. It was from her that Elva learned to make her much sought after candy.

On December 1, 1945, Elva married James Edward Blair at Holy Trinity Catholic Church. He was from a very large family and Aunt Elva and Uncle Eddie soon became hosts for large family get togethers. They were married for 63 years until Eddie passed in 2009. Elva was a homemaker, and together with Eddie, they raised 7 children. She was a Boy Scout den mother, a Brownie leader, and a 4-H leader.

In the early years, Elva enjoyed spending all summer with her children at Millers Lodge in Arroyo Seco. Unforgettable memories were made there with lots of families who became friends. Later, the family cabin at Oak Shores on Nacimiento Lake became her favorite place to go, all seasons of the year. She could go up and down that hill from the cabin to the dock like a billy goat well into her 80’s and was the best flag person in the boat watching her grandchildren.

A family and traditional Swiss favorite was Elva’s cooking polenta and stew for most family celebrations. And you were lucky if you got a plate of her fudge or rocky road at Christmas time. Another favorite hobby of hers was gardening. In the latter years, she loved to sit in her back yard and admire her flowers. She also learned to sew later in life and made most of the costumes her family wore in the Greenfield Bicentennial Parade. Her grandchildren enjoyed the clothes she made for their Cabbage Patch dolls. She also hosted the best Tom and Jerry parties and family friends always looked forward to her Halloween parties. During the years, Greenfield had Christmas house decorating contests, Elva enjoyed participating and even won a couple of times.

Elva was preceded in death by her husband Ed Blair, sons David, Michael, and Mark Blair, daughter-in-law Cecilia Blair, and son-in-law Albert “Butch” Dani. She is survived by son Jeffrey Blair, daughters Nancy Balesteri, Jane Dani, and Mary (Greg) Hughes. Nana will be greatly missed by her twelve grandchildren-Christina (Mark) Williams, Ben (Adrienne) Balesteri, Jessica Blair, Garrett Blair, Mallory (Kolt) Blair, Blair (Kanani) Dani, Brianne (Brandon) Sanchez, Bryan Dani, Marissa (Jay) SanNicolas, Hillary (Connor) Shanahan, Allyson (Justin) Regester, and Amy Hughes. Great grandchildren-Delaney, Blair, Luca, Stockton, Stran, Chase, Clay, Kacie, Rylan, Kenley, Luke, Ana, LeeAnn, Ethan, JJ, and Reid. “Aunt Elva” is also survived by her nieces and nephews.

Our family would like to offer our sincere thanks to all the caregivers over the years for their tender care and love they gave our mom. It takes a special person to do this job and they did it with compassion and understanding. Thank you to the neighbors who stepped in when needed to lend a helping hand and thank you to the Hospice nurses. God bless you all.

SERVICE INFORMATION:

Services will be held on Friday, April 24 at St. John’s Church in King City. Rosary to begin at 10:30 a.m., mass to follow at 11:00.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations in Elva’s honor be made to Mission San Antonio for the daily needs of the mission at PO Box 803, Jolon, CA 93930 or the Campaign for the Preservation of Mission San Antonio de Padua, P.O. Box 450, King City, CA 93930.