Ellana Arkin Blau, z”l, passed away Sept. 14, 2021, in Portland at the age of 85. She is survived by daughter, Caron Blau Rothstein; son-in-law, Ari Rothstein; and their sons, Jonah, Jesse and Samuel.

Born in 1935 in pre-state Israel to Malca and Yehuda Arkin, younger sister to Joseph and Leah, Ellana grew up on the family farm in Mazkeret Batya. When other Eastern European Jews headed to the shores of America, her ancestors settled in Palestine, creating the first successful agricultural settlement by observant Jews. Generations toiled the soil, planting orange groves and supporting what ultimately became the modern state of Israel.

Unlike the majority of her female peers, she didn't get married young and start a family. She wanted something different. Ellana served with distinction in the Israeli Air Force. With college not a viable option for most women in her place and time, she chose life in the burgeoning metropolis of Tel Aviv. She worked as a civilian with the military, enjoying all the art and culture Tel Aviv had to offer, traveling abroad on budget adventures, and crafting an education out of seeing, experiencing and doing.

In 1971, she met a dazzling visitor to Israel whose charm and charisma led to a whirlwind romance and international courtship. H. André Blau, a Holocaust survivor who resettled in California, and Ellana were married in October 1971 in San Francisco; they welcomed daughter Caron in 1972. They lived in Oakland where Ellana became the consummate hostess and homemaker, dedicated volunteer, lifelong learner, devoted wife and mother, and thoughtful friend that so many people knew and loved dearly.

André died in 1998, and Ellana relocated, dividing her time between Baltimore with Caron and her family and Boynton Beach, Fla. She was as devoted a mother, mother-in-law and Safta (grandmother) as anyone could imagine.

Three years ago, Ellana returned to the West Coast, joining Caron's family in Portland where they had moved a decade prior. The quality time together with their mother and Safta is something Caron, Ari, Jonah, Jesse and Samuel will always cherish.

She is buried in Mazkeret Batya, by her mother's side.

Donations in her memory may be made to Rachel%u2019s Well Community Mikvah c/o the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland.