DOWNEY -- Elinore Corse, a longtime resident of the Downey and Bellflower communities, died March 29 at home surrounded by family and friends. 

Born March 14, 1933 in Huntington Park, Elinore grew up in Downey and attended Alameda Elementary and graduated from Downey High School in 1951.

After a career as a long-distance operator for Pacific Telephone, she served in the Telephone Pioneers Club doing service for schools, Long Beach Memorial Hospital, Adopt-A-Highway, and repaired and maintained cassette players for the Braille Institute. 

She is survived by her daughter, Linda O’Connell; two grandsons, Ryan and Kevin; grandaughter Katie Joy; cousin, Jeanne Martin; three great-grandchildren, Penny, Seamus and Jack; and adopted daughter, Kelly Holt.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 14, at 11 a.m. at Messiah Lutheran Church in Downey. Graveside services will be private. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requested donations to Messiah Lutheran Church.