Patterson Cemetery District, Stanislaus County, CA, Obituaries 

Submitted by Gale Stroud and Burta Herger 22 Jul 2012

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Patterson Irrigator, 08/18/2011, p 12 

Eleanor Laureen Stafford
Aug. 12, 1937 — Aug. 12, 2011
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Friday, Aug. 19, for former Patterson resident 
Eleanor Laureen Stafford, who died Aug. 12, her 74th birthday, at Memorial Medical Center 
in Modesto.
Mrs. Stafford was a native of Stockton, who grew up in Patterson and was a resident of 
Modesto for 50 years.
She worked for Modesto City Schools as a teacher’s aide for 18 years. She also taught 
swimming for the Special Olympics for 30 years. Mrs. Stafford was a volunteer and founding 
member of the Special Olympics in the Modesto area and was a member of the Native 
Daughters/Poppy Seeds, California Heart & Tole painting group and Country Crossroad Quilters. 
She and her husband were married at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Patterson.
Mrs. Stafford is survived by her husband of 55 years, R.V. “Bud” Stafford of Modesto: sons, Stan 
Stafford of Modesto and Charles Stafford of Turlock; daughter, Tina Maria Sula of Don Pedro; sister, 
Catherine Wilkins of Kingsburg; 10 grandchildren; and 13 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Marie Broggi, and brother, Wes Williams.
Friday’s Mass and rosary will begin at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 529 I St. Burial will 
follow in San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery, 32053 W. McCabe Road, in Gustine. Visitation will 
be observed from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 18, at Hillview Funeral Chapel of Patterson, 450 W. 
Las Palmas Ave.
Memorial contributions in Mrs. Stafford’s name may be sent to Stanislaus State Special Olympics 
Swimming Program, 400 12th St., No. 7, Modesto, CA 95354.