Elise "Lee" Louise Monestier Pestal passed away peacefully at her home on August 31, 2020 surrounded by family.Born on October 20, 1924, Lee was a second generation San Franciscan. She graduated from Balboa HS in 1941, worked summers at Yosemite, attended UC Berkeley and was a member of Beta Sigma Phi. Her travels began when she sailed to Honolulu on the SS Mariposa, circa 1946, and took a job as an executive secretary for Ayer Advertising.
In Hawaii, Lee met the love of her life, Larry, an aspiring Chief Engineer with Hawaiian Airlines. They married in 1950 and built a home in Kailua. In 1959, Larry took a job with Boeing Field Service and they moved to Bellevue, WA. Larry's job took the family to: New York; Dublin, Ireland; Miami; London; and back to Bellevue. While in Europe, they travelled extensively throughout the continent and became avid antique collectors.
When Larry passed away in 1985, Lee moved to Walnut Creek, California. She was a longtime volunteer at Kaiser Park Shadelands. She enjoyed playing cards, reading mysteries, and being with family and friends. Lee always had a wonderful smile, a sly wit and a great sense of humor.
Lee is survived by her sons, Larry Pestal Jr. and his wife Suzanne of Lafayette, CA and Tom Pestal and his wife Jan of Oro Valley, AZ; daughter, Cindy Machado and her husband Henry of Mililani, HI; grandchildren Lauren Gardener, Robbie Pestal III, Jennifer Loomis, Jeffrey Pestal, Alanna Barnes; and 5 great grandchildren.
We will forever remember Lee with so much Love and Gratitude for her presence in our lives. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her name to Hospice of East Bay, Pleasant Hill, CA.
