Elsa Black was surprised the weekend of Sept. 8-9. On Saturday, she arrived at the home of her daughter, Joyce Sears, to find more than 40 friends and relatives ready to celebrate her 90th birthday. Those attending included her son, Richard Black, and three grandchildren, Sierra Black, Arianna Black and Ashley Sears.

Through the years Elsa has shared memories of her childhood in San Francisco. Born Sept. 11, 1917, to parents Rudolph and Lina Wunderly, Elsa was among the first to walk across the Golden Gate Bridge. She knew San Francisco in a time when women wore hats to go to the grocery store and men shined their shoes before heading outside.

But Elsa left this city in 1939 after she married Robert Black, to embark on a new adventure in Oakville. Her San Francisco relatives thought she was moving to the sticks, and they were right.

Elsa and her husband cleared the land themselves and built the house that she has lived in for 68 years. Elsa and Robert had their first child, Joyce, in December 1942. Elsa recalls the diapers freezing on the clothesline and spending most of her time in bed to stay warm with her new baby. Richard was born just a few years later in 1945. Both children attended St. Helena schools while Elsa worked in St. Helena. Elsa has fond memories of her time working at Sears, Vasconi’s and the Yardage Shop.

Robert Black began work as an accountant at the Veterans Home in Yountville, then moved to Napa as a state auditor and retired after 31 years of service. He died in 1975, three years before their first granddaughter, Sierra, was born to their son, Richard.

Richard is now enjoying his first year off, having retired from teaching in Antelope.

Joyce, also a former teacher and psychotherapist, lives in Angwin and now hosts the annual Easter celebration for 40 relatives which was celebrated at Elsa’s house in Oakville for more than 60 years.