Ernelda Marie Osborne Stafford, affectionately known as Nelda, beloved wife, sister, daughter, aunt, and friend, passed away on Monday, September 23, 2024, in Carmel Valley, California. Born in Washington, D.C., on January 14, 1963, to Wendell T. and Cora M. Osborne, Nelda lived a life filled with kindness, humility, and a deep passion for the outdoors and adventure.

Nelda grew up in Takoma Park, Maryland, in an active family that frequently attended concerts, lectures, museums, and art galleries in the Washington, D.C. area. These experiences, along with participation in church youth activities and other enriching extracurriculars, fostered Nelda’s love for the arts, cultures, languages, and nature. They also shaped her perspectives on faith and humanity.

She attended Takoma Academy Preparatory School and later graduated from Takoma Academy in June 1981, earning a National Merit Scholarship and other honors. Nelda was a talented musician, mastering the flute and playing the guitar, singing as a vocal soloist, and occasionally drumming in a band where she was the only female member. In addition to her musical talents, she was a skilled and competitive athlete, excelling in track, soccer, swimming, and basketball. Nelda became a certified lifeguard and spent many summers teaching swimming and water safety. She also actively volunteered, tutored, and performed classical and religious music with her sisters at hospitals and nursing facilities. As an avid reader and excellent student, Nelda particularly excelled in mathematics and the sciences. She was also a dedicated member of Sligo Seventh-Day Adventist Church during her formative years.

After high school, Nelda attended La Sierra University in Riverside, California. Following her passion for travel, she spent a year studying abroad in France, where she became fluent in French and immersed herself in French culture. Nelda later earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from San Francisco State University and worked as an auditor for a major accounting firm. She also enjoyed contributing her skills to not-for-profit organizations.

Nelda met the love of her life, Jerry Stafford, while attending La Sierra University. They married in Maui, Hawaii, on September 21, 1988, and spent 36 wonderful years as partners and best friends, sharing a beautiful life together. Nelda adored living in Sausalito, California, and found joy in laughter, travel, sailing, hiking, skiing, and camping. Family was one of her greatest joys, especially her role as an aunt to Marquita Bradford Brown, Cedric Osborne (deceased), Jose Feit, Esther Osborne, Alyssa Anderson, Abigail Stafford Abadi, Brandon Osborne, and Colin Osborne, as well as a grand aunt to David Brown, Jr.

In addition to her parents, Wendell and Cora Osborne, Nelda is survived by her devoted husband, Jerry Stafford; her siblings, Julian H.G. Osborne, Nuria M. Feit, and Marla O. Anderson (Frederick); her cherished nephews and nieces; father- and mother-in-law, Tom and Brooke Stafford; aunts and uncles, Graciela Allen, Leila Parker, Olin Osborne (Alicia), Dr. Newton G. Osborne (Janet), and Spica D. Berrio (Luis); along with a host of cousins, dear friends, and loved ones. She was preceded in death by her sister, Yvette Aracely Osborne; her nephew, Cedric Osborne; her sister-in-law, Janelle Stafford; her brother-in-law, Sid Stafford; her sister-in-law, Juliet Osborne; and her brother-in-law, Dr. Marvin D. Feit.

Nelda’s radiant smile and warm spirit touched the hearts of many, leaving a lasting impact on all who knew her.

A Celebration of Life will be held on November 3, 2024, at Community Church of the Monterey Peninsula, 4590 Carmel Valley Rd, Carmel-By-The-Sea, California 93923, at 2:00 p.m. A reception will follow the service.

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