TORRANCE, Calif. — Elaine Marie Draper, a devoted Torrance resident known for her volunteer work at Torrance Memorial Hospital and for helping build the family home in the city, died June 26, 2026, according to an obituary published by the Daily Breeze.
Born July 2, 1929, in Santa Monica, Draper spent much of her adult life in the South Bay. She worked at TRW for a decade and volunteered for more than 10 years in the gift shop at Torrance Memorial Hospital, the obituary said. Her husband, Wallace Monte Draper, preceded her in death on Aug. 6, 2023.
What this means for Torrance neighbors
Neighbors and long-time acquaintances who remember the Drapers’ custom-built home — completed in 1971 — will likely recall the couple’s hospitality and the backyard pool that became a gathering place for family and friends. The obituary notes Elaine Draper’s interest in cooking, gardening and restoring antique furniture, which contributed to the household’s role as a local social hub.
The family has not reported any public services or memorial events, according to the obituary. Those seeking to send condolences or request information are advised to consult family notices or the Daily Breeze listing for updates.
"Her hospitality and her devotion to family left us with lasting and loving memories,"
The obituary lists surviving family members: three children, two stepchildren, eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She was also remembered as an aunt, cousin and friend to many in the community.
- Long-term Torrance resident; home built in 1971
- Volunteer at Torrance Memorial Hospital gift shop for over a decade
- Worked at TRW for 10 years
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Birth | July 2, 1929 — Santa Monica, CA |
| Date of death | June 26, 2026 |
| Immediate survivors | 3 children, 2 stepchildren, 8 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren |
The account in the Daily Breeze provides the family’s summary of her life, including early years raised by her father, Robert Du Priest, after her mother died when Elaine was four, and graduation from Inglewood High School in 1947. She first married and had two children, later marrying Wallace Draper on July 3, 1953, with whom she had a third child and shared a blended family.
For Torrance residents, the notice serves both as an announcement of a local death and as a reminder of the small, everyday ways community members contribute — through volunteer service, neighborhood hospitality and longstanding ties to local institutions.
