Stephanie Tucker

August 16, 1945 ~ Dcember 7, 2025

Dr. Stephanie Tucker, 80, passed away on December 7, 2025, in Sacramento, California, after an injury and brief illness. A brilliant and compassionate woman, Stephanie was deeply loved and respected by her family, friends, colleagues, and students. Her legacy as an educator, theater enthusiast, and advocate for human rights and social causes will be remembered with admiration and gratitude.

Born on August 16, 1945, in New York City to Carll Tucker and Emily Fowler, Stephanie spent most of her childhood in Westchester County just outside New York City where her grandparents lived. Her early life was shaped by a love of the arts and intellectual curiosity. Her father, a newspaperman, introduced her to the world of theater at a young age—taking her to plays both on and off Broadway. These formative experiences sparked a lifelong passion for the stage. Though she preferred the audience to the spotlight, theater remained a central joy throughout her life.

When Stephanie was 17, she and a friend traveled by train from the east coast to California—where she immediately realized she'd found a home. After a brief stint in college, Stephanie dropped out of school and drove to California in 1967, where she lived for the remainder of her life.

Stephanie pursued higher education with determination and distinction. She earned both her B.A. and M.A. from California State University, Sacramento (CSUS), followed by a Ph.D. from the University of California, Davis. Her academic journey led to a fulfilling career in education where she found immense joy in teaching. She cherished her time in the classroom at CSUS, surrounded by bright and talented students who inspired her daily. Stephanie often said she learned as much from them as they did from her—and she remained forever grateful for those shared experiences.

After retiring from CSUS, Stephanie returned to one of her earliest loves: the theater. She accepted a position as Literary Manager and Dramaturg for Capital Stage in Sacramento—a role that allowed her to engage deeply with dramatic literature while working behind the scenes in an environment she adored.

Above all else, Stephanie drew her greatest joy from her family. She is lovingly remembered by her son Tony Cale and his wife Becky Cale; her daughter Cate Cale-Thompson and husband John-Reed Thompson; and her cherished grandchildren Gwendolyn Thompson and Lucas Thompson. Her devotion to them was unwavering, and their lives were enriched by her wisdom, humor, and boundless love.

Stephanie's wit was sharp; her generosity profound; her commitment to others unwavering. Whether mentoring students or supporting local causes close to her heart, she lived with purpose and compassion. She will be forever missed by those who knew and loved her.

In honor of Stephanie's memory, donations may be made to Capital Stage or Front Street Animal Shelter in Sacramento, CA.

Elroy Littlefield

August 27, 1943 ~ Dcember 28, 2025

Elroy Littlefield, Jr. was born August 27, 1943 to Elroy and Ophelia Marie (Williams) Littlefield in Fort Worth, Texas. He was the second of their four sons. An early photograph of him with his older brother on their father’s lap shows him as pugnacious, direct, and forward-looking. These were qualities he possessed all his life.

The family migrated from Texas to California around 1946 or 1947, traveling by train in what must have been segregated accommodations though he was too young to know about such things. An abiding memory is of the two older boys sleeping in the overhead luggage rack where their parents made a bed using blankets and perhaps a pillow.

They first landed in San Pedro, California where he attended elementary school, and eventually settled in Sacramento where he attended high school at Highlands High, graduating on June 9, 1961. He then went on to what was then known as Sacramento State College, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in June 1965. He received a congratulatory letter from Jesse Unruh, Speaker of the California State Assembly, indicating that he had already attracted attention. He was initiated into the Kappa Sigma National Service Fraternity in 1964.

He started work as an undergraduate in the college bookstore and soon made himself indispensable. The store manager called to get his advice when he was away with the Air Force Reserve which he joined after graduation. Some considered the incident a mark of distinction. He considered it an annoying distraction, not least because he had to walk some distance across the parade ground to receive the call. He eventually became textbook manager (1965), and subsequently the Director of Bookstore Services. From 1997 until his retirement in 2004 he was appointed as the Executive Director of the California State University Sacramento Foundation. These were positions no African American had held before him. His highest and most prestigious accomplishments were president of the California Association of College Stores (CACS), which he served on this Board from 1980 to 1985, and president of the National Association of College Stores (NACS), described as “the primary trade association for the $10 billion campus retail industry, representing nearly 4,000 college and university stores and over 1,000 suppliers in the U.S.”

This is also believed to be a first for an African American. The California State University, Sacramento Black Faculty Association acknowledged his achievements with a certificate upon his retirement.

Elroy had a productive retirement of many years until stricken with an unexpected illness and passed away peacefully on December 28, 2025. He leaves behind a legacy defined by kindness, and unwavering love. To know Elroy was to feel welcomed, valued, and embraced as family. His generosity was not a trait he practiced occasionally – it was the foundation of who he was.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Elroy Littlefield, Sr., and Ophelia Marie Broadway; and five brothers and two sisters-in-law, Paul (Gertrude) Littlefield, Leo (Linda) Broadway, John Broadway, Curtis Broadway, Jesse Broadway; one nephew, Nicholas M. Broadway; and one niece, Janice L. Ellis.

Elroy leaves to cherish his memory, his beloved son, Robert; five brothers, Daniel (Valinda) Littlefield of Durham, NC, Raymond (Sabrina) Littlefield of Sacramento, CA, Dennis Broadway of Sacramento, CA, Willie Broadway of Everette, WA, Jimmy Broadway of Sacramento, CA; six sisters, Lela Broadway of Sacramento, CA, Debra Broadway of Sacramento, CA, Denise (Dwight) Evans of Sacramento, CA, Leola Ellis of Sacramento, CA, Lottie Torres of Sacramento, CA, and Mary Earthly of Bonaire, GA; one godson, Jaylen C. Johnson of Sacramento, CA; a host of nieces and nephews, extended family members and friends.

Elroy will be forever missed and remembered by all who knew and loved him.

Sandra Ofsenek Helland

June 27, 1942 ~ January 9, 2026

Sandy Ofsenek Helland peacefully passed on January 9, 2026 after an extended illness. She is survived by her loving husband, Jerry Helland.

At her request, no services will be held. Sandy was a dynamic woman who loved the arts, especially supporting music in the local Sacramento area. Donations in Sandy’s memory may be directed to

The Sacramento Community Concert Association, PO Box 25425, Sacramento, CA 95865.

Cecilia D. Gray

July 17, 1942 ~ February 4, 2026

Dr. Cecilia Dolores Gray passed away peacefully on February 4, 2026 under the caring support of staff at Huger Mercy Living Center in Phoenix, Ariz. She was visited and surrounded by many family members in her final days. Born in Urbana, Ill. July 17, 1942, the eldest of 10 children, Cecilia supported her mother as asecondary caregiver to her siblings until she left for college in 1960. This role shaped many things about her adult life, especially her academic and professional pursuits in child and family studies.

Cecilia moved with her family to Weimar, Tex., when she was 14. She attended Bishop Forest High School in nearby Schulenberg, then went on to study Home Economics at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Tex. (1960 - 1964). Mid-way through Cecilia’s tenure there, her family moved to Arizona; she stayed to complete her studies, traveling to visit family during her school breaks.

After college, Cecilia participated in a student loan forgiveness program that took her to Cullman, Ala. to teach Home Economics at Sacred Heart Jr. College. Following that experience, Cecilia pursued graduate studies at Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kas., obtaining a Master’s of Science in Family and Child Studies. In 1968 Cecilia secured a teaching job in her desired field at California State University, Sacramento (then Sacramento State College) where she quickly became recognized for her avant-garde style, from wearing minidresses with green tights to sitting with her students in a circle and creating space for long divergent discussions. Cecilia took a break from teaching between 1971-73 to pursue her PhD in Family Life from Oregon State University in Corvallis, Ore. She had fond memories of going to the beach and made lifelong friends. She returned to Sacramento and resumed teaching while completing her dissertation on Achievement as a Family Theme in Drama, which combined two of her biggest passions: theater and family. She was awarded her doctorate in 1978, allowing her to advance her professional career in academia.

For over 50 years, Cecilia called Sacramento her home, proudly advancing through her higher education career as Professor, Department Chair, Associate Dean, Dean, and Associate Vice President and then fully retiring in 2004. She was admired by her students and took pride in supporting their aspirations. She also shared her affinity for academia with her loved ones, assisting many of her younger family members with the cost of their education and fully supporting higher education as a means of personal growth and economic freedom. She maintained lifelong friendships with her peers, supervisors, and students from Kansas, Oregon and California.

In retirement, Cecilia cherished the time she spent with her young adoptive grandchildren, and filled her spare time with volunteering, travelling, reading, and being with loved ones. Cecilia was known by many to be both empathetic and exacting, serious and playful, quick to take charge and also happy to be attended to, but most of all, she was sophisticated. She loved culture, from food and wine to theater and music. She made frequent trips to Ashland’s Shakespeare Festival and California’s Wine Country, regularly attended music and theater performances in Sacramento and San Francisco, and often sought out museums and fine restaurants both at home and during travels. She also admired influential and accomplished women – including poets, authors, musicians, and political figures.

But one of her truest loves was antiques. Cecilia relished and avidly collected vintage American homewares made from the 1920s-1960s, notably dishes, kitchen appliances, linens, glassware and cocktail sundries. This hobby reflected a passion that she shared with her closest friend, Lee. Cecilia and Lee, a professor of interior design, played off each others’ shared interests, often trading parts of their collection with one another, and eventually, opening “Dish: the Shop on Riverside” in 2008 as a way to showcase and sell some of their vast collections. Cecilia was very proud of this moment in her life - it gave her a renewed sense of self post-retirement and allowed her to share this passion with others.

Cecilia was also well-known for her love of cooking for others and entertaining, a legacy she enabled in some of her loved ones. A long-time resident of Sacramento’s Land Park neighborhood, she frequently hosted friends and colleagues at her home for dinner and cocktail parties, wine and champagne tastings, and themed events such as her “Oscars” parties. She also enjoyed Bridge parties, birthdays and holidays, and an annual Christmas cookie making party with friends.

Suffering from strokes and their impacts during the last 20 years of her life, Cecilia found doing the things she enjoyed became more and more difficult. As she lost her joy for reading, cooking, and antique shopping, her loved ones in Sacramento took strides to give her additional support, joining her for walks or trips to the salon or making meals to share with her. This helped her stay independent and connected for many years. In 2021, she moved to Phoenix, Ariz. where she could be closer to family. Her battle with dementia challenged her peace of mind, but her loved ones worked diligently to find solutions that would accommodate her changing preferences and needs.

Despite her disease causing her to feel unsettled in many ways, she continued to find peace in being around friends and family, enjoying a drink and dinner out, and being doted upon. Cecilia never married, but she is her family’s matriarch. She took on roles of adoptive mother and grandmother, and she is survived by this assumed family, including Lee Anderson, Courbet Anderson, Alana Bain, Anya VandenBerge, Amelia VandenBerge, and Aramis VandenBerge. She is preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Cecilia Gray, and brothers Philip and Robert Gray Jr., and also survived by her siblings and their spouses – Vince Gray and wife Gloria, Sara Dedmore and husband Pat, Tim Gray, Tom Gray and wife Erin, Brian Gray and wife Vicki, Christine Clouse and husband Greg, and Terry Gray and wife Cathy – as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and their children. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to recognize the staff and service of Huger Mercy Living Center

(https://www.supportstjosephs.org/donate).