Estrela Odilia Nilsen

November 30, 1920 - August 25, 2020

The life of Estrela Odilia Nilsen Estrela (which means Star in Portuguese) Odilia Santos was born November 30, 1920 in New Bedford, Massachusetts. And throughout her life lived in Oakland, San Leandro, Willits, Cameron Park and Rescue California for the last 40 years of her life. Passed away peacefully in her sleep on August 25, 2020. Mama and Papa were immigrants from Portugal. Mom was the baby of the family, with 2 older sisters (Celeste and Eliza) and 2 older brothers (Manuel and Jack). Her life started out in New Bedford, and it wasn’t until she was 6 years old that Papa could send for her 2 older brothers who had remained back in Portugal. With all 5 children finally together, Mama and Papa headed off to California. Mom lived not only a full life, but a rich and rewarding life. My sister Regina and I were both born in Oakland, and we were raised in San Leandro. Do the math. Mom’s heart beat for over 100 years! And boy, did it beat. I can honestly say, she touched every person that was fortunate to cross her path. What roles did mom have. Well, Daughter… Baby Sister… Sorority Sister… Thoughtful Friend… Sweetheart… Wife… Wise Living, Supportive Mother… Aunt… Grandmother & Great-Grandmother would be a good start! But wait, Writer… Encourager… Patient Mentor… Her Bright Light shined for just short of 100 years. And will continue to shine in so many of us left behind. I am convinced that this is the reason God kept her among us for so long. To help us become better. Mom was married to our father George Edward Pastor for 24 years. Dad left us way too soon. I was about ready to turn 13, and Gina was 19. Mom took on a new roll, Widower at the young age of 45. Mom picked up her bootstraps and kept our lives focused and on track. God kept His hand on our mothers’ shoulder and brought a new life into her path. Bill (William Karl) Nilsen became our father on January 1, 1969. Our Nana was still living at the time, and as Bill was courted Mom, he was secretly take our Nana flowers and spend time with her, knowing he needed her approval to marry Mom. Mom told me the story that Nana said people don’t usually get lucky with Love twice. And told her Bill was a keeper. And boy was she right. Mom and Bill were married for the next 49 years! We lost Bill two years ago at the age of 94. With this duo in hand, anyone that met them knew instantly they were in rare company. For those that never met our mother, maybe, just maybe her own words will let you know what you missed. What follows is just one example of her wit, incite and caring nature. As you read them, try to envision those around this influence and tell me you would not have become a more rounded person. Up until our mothers last year, she continued to keep up a yearly photo album. Not digital, the real deal. I have gone back through these may times, and right there in front of me was her shining Star. No wonder we are all better to have known her. Mom leaves behind 2 children and a daughter-in-law. 7 grandchildren and their spouses. 14 great grandchildren and an extended family and friends too many to name here. You know who you are… God Bless Estrela Odilia Santos Pastor Nilsen, you were indeed a Star! Sincerely, Robert James, and Regina Celeste  WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT? THERE ARE THOSE WHO GO DAY TO DAY ALWAYS TESTING AND GRADING OTHERS.....THEIR OWN ACCOMPLISHMENTS, FAILURES, SHORTCOMINGS AND LESSONS LEARNED, NEVER BEING QUESTIONED. THERE ARE THOSE WHO WORK, SWEAT, SHARE, WORRY AND CARE.....FOREVER TRYING TO PLEASE, NEVER WANTING TO HURT OTHERS AND SOMETIMES, EVEN HURTING THEMSELVES AND THEIR OWN LIVES AND DREAMS AND GOALS, ONLY TO DISCOVER IN THE END THAT EVEN MORE IS EXPECTED. THE TIME COMES ALSO WHEN YOU DISCOVER AFTER DOING THE BEST YOU CAN YOU ARE STILL CRITICIZED FOR NOT DOING THINGS RIGHT! BUT ACCORDING TO WHAT PRINCIPALS? WHAT GUIDELINES? WHO'S OPINIONS? AS HUMANS WE ARE ALL WEAK AT TIMES, WE DO NOT ALWAYS MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS, BUT IF WE HAVE ANY FAITH, COMPASSION, HUMILITY AND LOVE FOR OUR FELLOW MAN WE LIFT OUR HEADS AND HEARTS AND TRY AGAIN --- BUT, BEING HUMANS, WE FIND ALSO, THOSE WHO NEVER MAKE ALLOWANCES, NEVER PUT THEMSELVES OUT FOR OTHERS, ALWAYS DO EXPECT THOSE VERY SAME THINGS DONE UNTO THEM --- AND THE PITY OF THIS, IS THE BLINDNESS TO SEE THE ONE-SIDED PART OF IT. SO WHAT DOES ONE DO TO KEEP FROM GETTING HURT TIME AND TIME AGAIN? THIS IS THE HARDEST PART OF ALL! THE HURT AND DESPAIR NEVER REALLY STOP! FOR IF YOU HAVE LOVE AND COMPASSION IN YOUR HEART YOU WILL ALWAYS BE OPEN TO THE HEARTACHES IMPOSED BY THE THOUGHTLESS SELF-CENTERED BLINDNESS OF THE UNINTENTIONAL HURTERS --- SO WHAT IS THE ANSWER? AS ONE SMALL STAR IN THE VAST GALAXY OF THE HUMAN HEAVENS, I HAVE LIVED FOR THE PAST FIFTY-THREE YEARS TRYING TO FIND THE ANSWER AND HAVE YET TO DISCOVER THE SOLUTION --- I HAVE HOWEVER LEARNED MANY WAYS TO HELP ME ALONG THE WAY --- AFTER MANY SET-BACKS AND DISILLUSIONMENT'S I HAVE FINALLY COME TO REALIZE I CANNOT CHANGE MY COMPASSIONATE HEART, MY OPEN-MIND IN TRYING TO BE FAIR AND MY RESPECT FOR OTHER PEOPLE'S TASTES, OPINIONS AND DREAMS. FOR THROUGH THIS I HAVE LEARNED MANY VALUABLE AND WONDERFUL THINGS AND DISCOVERED ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS IN LIFE. THAT THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING NEW TO LEARN, A BETTER OR EASIER WAY OF DOING THINGS AND THE BEST OF ALL --- MAYBE I'VE MADE SOMEONE HAPPY WHICH IN TURN BROUGHT HAPPINESS TO ME. THESE THINGS I HAVE TUCKED IN MY HEART FOR THEY GIVE ME STRENGTH TO GO ON. THEY GIVE ME SOMETHING TO FALL BACK ON WHEN ONCE AGAIN, I AM CONFRONTED WITH HEARTACHES. SO --- “WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT?” GO ON -- KEEP TRYING -- BE FAIR AND OPEN-MINDED -- RESPECT OTHERS, FOR THROUGH THIS PATH YOU WILL FIND HAPPINESS -- BUT ALONG THE WAY -- DON'T LOSE SIGHT OF YOUR OWN DREAMS AND ASPIRATIONS -- RESPECT TOO YOUR OWN OPINIONS AND FEELINGS -- FOR WHEN YOU RESPECT YOURSELF AND YOUR CONVICTIONS AND ARE NOT AFRAID TO VOICE THEM YOU WILL FIND OTHERS WILL NOT BE SO QUICK TO PUSH YOU DOWN -- YOU WILL FIND TOO -- WHEN YOU'RE UP -- PRAISES ARE HARD TO COME BY, BUT FAIL, NO MATTER HOW TRIVIAL A FAILURE OR SET-BACK AND, YOU'LL FIND AN AVALANCHE OF CRITICS -- THE HARDEST LESSON OF ALL TO LEARN IS, THAT YOU CANNOT PLEASE EVERYONE. AT LEAST YOU KNOW YOU'VE TRIED! THAT'S THE WAY IT IS AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE THE HUMAN RACE --- HOW TERRIBLE IF WE WERE ALL THE SAME! WHICH KIND WOULD WE BE? SO ---- REALLY ---- IT'S A PRETTY GOOD LIFE AFTER ALL --- JUST DON'T DWELL ON THE HEARTACHES, SHAKE THEM OFF --- THINK ONLY THAT LIFE IS A CHALLENGE --- THAT LIFE IS FAITH, LOVE, HAPPINESS, AND CONTENTMENT --- IT'S EVERYTHING WONDERFUL – BABIES, FLOWERS, SOMEONE'S PRETTY HAIR, BIRDS SINGING ON HIGH AND PEOPLE THAT CARE. Å DIMPLE, A SMILE, ALL PRETTY NO DOUBT, TO ME, LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL --- --- THAT'S WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT ! STREL NILSEN AUGUST 13, 1974