Elsie Mastick

The Mastick Family moved from Marin County to Moraga in 1959. Our friends wondered where we were going. Moraga? Where's that? All we could say was Moraga is in the East Bay near Saint Mary's College.

Soon after we were here I was employed by the Moraga School District. A great place to work and Moraga was a great place to rear children. One day someone told me about Bro. Dennis Goodman, historian & librarian at the College. This man knew all there was to know about Moraga. Dewey and I went to listed to Bro. Dennis speak, this becoming a wonderful experience for both of us. Soon we joined the Moraga Historical Society.

Years later, when Dewey was President of M.H.S., he would come home after meetings and tell me how impressive it was to listen to stories told by Bro. Dennis. His was eager to share his knowledge of Moraga and make its history come alive. Eventually, Moraga's Pride was born, a book about Moraga's history for both young and old to enjoy. Now people moving here can tell their friends about Moraga.

After my retirement, Maggie Skinner got me involved with the Archive's Committee. My adventure then began. Bro. Dennis became my teacher. His phone calls, numerous at times, would have me panic finding information for his research. But, throughout, his guidance and patience were always there. I thank God for this wonderful man and his gift to the Town of Moraga. I only hope that I will be able to teach the 3rd graders from our elementary schools about our town as he would want me to.

Bro. Dennis is at Home now, but he left us with the love he had for Moraga and his people. It is up to us and future generations to keep up the work he started.

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