Elke Albers Standish

With deep sorrow and loving remembrance, we reflect on the life of Elke Albers Standish, who passed away on August 12, 2026, in Mission Viejo, California, after an unexpected, brief illness. Born on September 4, 1942, in Barsinghausen, Germany, Elke’s earthly journey lasted eighty-three remarkable years filled with adventure, kindness, and devotion to her community and those she loved.

Elke arrived in Laguna Beach in 1974, drawn by the allure of new horizons and the promise of opportunity. Soon after, she began her professional life in her new home, quickly establishing herself in real estate sales. Ambitious and enterprising, she later founded her own recycled clothing business, “Play It Again,” which served Laguna Beach and embodied her creativity and resourcefulness. Continuing to reinvent herself, Elke most recently embraced her role as receptionist and manager at Shampoo Hair Designs, where her warmth and professionalism touched coworkers and clients alike.

Yet, Elke’s story is not only defined by her work. Her life overflows with cherished memories and generosity of spirit. Summers spent at her beloved vacation home in Edgartown, Martha’s Vineyard, were always occasions for joy and connection. Relatives and friends journeyed from Germany to join her there, each leaving with radiant memories and the knowledge that they had been treated to an experience of joy and welcome unlike any other. Her sense of fun and adventure extended across the continent, as she and her pilot husband flew their Turbo Cessna 182 RG between California and Martha’s Vineyard, savoring the thrill of new journeys and shared dreams.

Elke’s friends and acquaintances recall, above all, her delightful sense of humor, her sympathetic heart, and her steadfast friendship. She was particularly treasured by several elderly women in Laguna Beach, whose lives she brightened with her caring attention and kindness. Elke lived her values openly, with an outstretched hand and a ready smile.

A woman of deep faith and compassion, Elke served on the Vestry and sang in the Choir at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Laguna Beach. Her service reached beyond the church walls into the community, where she volunteered for Meals-on-Wheels and for the Laguna Beach Friendship Shelter, supporting those experiencing homelessness with dignity and hope.

Elke Albers Standish leaves behind a legacy woven from laughter, nurturing friendship, and tireless service. Her life gently touched countless others, and her absence will be deeply felt by the community she so lovingly fostered.

A service to honor Elke’s life will be announced at a later date. Her memory will continue to inspire all who were privileged to know her, reminding us always of the power of kindness, the joy of adventure, and the beauty that one compassionate soul can bring into the world.