Lenora Mikalauskas

Lenora "Ellie" Mikalauskas departed this earth in peace on Sunday, January 29, 2023, less than three months before her 103rd birthday. After surmounting numerous mishaps and health setbacks over the course of her life, she eventually succumbed to natural causes. She had a healthy appetite through it all--a fortunate circumstance, since eating was one of her favorite pastimes.

Born in Ohio in 1920, Ellie was one of six siblings. She graduated from Miamisburg High School in 1938, then completed the Junior Secretarial Course at Miami-Jacobs College in Dayton in 1939. Being a "people" person, Ellie gravitated to the restaurant industry, in which she worked throughout her life. Ellie was a friendly and familiar face at Ricky's Family Restaurant in San Diego's Hotel Circle for many years after moving from Dayton to San Diego in 1975.

Ellie married Charles "Mickey" Mikalauskas of Dayton, Ohio in 1946, and spent 60 years "dancing" through life with him. When actually out dancing together, their proficiency often cleared dance floors when the other dancers would pause and step aside to watch them whirl by.

Ellie and Mickey also loved to travel together. Ellie--with five siblings of her own, in addition to Mickey's nine--had a galaxy of nieces and nephews, as well as in-laws. The couple loved traversing the country to spend time with their large families. They also saw much of the world. A highlight of their travels was accompanying Mickey's brother and his wife on a trip to Lithuania to see the Mikalauskas ancestral homeland.

In 1975, Ellie and Mickey relocated to San Diego to be near their daughter and two granddaughters. When Ellie survived Mickey by 17 years, she continued to travel to visit family and far-away friends. Back home in San Diego, she loved playing cards and taking day trips with her local family and friends. Ellie was an avid--daresay a rabid--sports fan; and she eagerly followed as many baseball, football, basketball, and soccer teams as she could.

Ellie's zest for life sustained her for almost 103 years. She is survived by her daughter, Sherry; two granddaughters, Charmaine and Rachelle; a bevy of devoted nieces and nephews around the country; and a few surviving in-laws in Dayton. Local surviving family and friends will gather for a private celebration of her life.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.tridentsociety.com/location/san-diego-ca for the Mikalauskas family.