Aillene Elliott, former executive director of Hostelling International USA, San Diego Council, died at her home on Monday, April 24, 2008.
A native San Diegan, she was born in Mission Beach in 1927, graduated from Mission Beach Elementary and Point Loma High School and attended San Diego State University.
A lover of sports and music, Aillene learned to swim at The Plunge and played drums in SDSU’s marching band. It was there she met a young trumpeter, Clark Elliott, who soon became her husband. They were married 53 years and raised four boys, Albert, Ralph, Carl and Glenn.
When Aillene joined American Youth Hostels (now Hostelling International USA, San Diego Council) in 1969, had about $200 and operated out of a garage.
Under her leadership, Aillene grew the organization to include four hostels, Downtown San Diego, Imperial Beach, San Clemente and the Point Loma Hostel, which was named the Elliott International Hostel in her honor.
She recruited thousands of volunteers, and membership grew fivefold. She retired in 1989.
Aillene’s love for San Diego is evident in her 57 years at the same address in Point Loma, where she passed away. It is fitting that she will join her parents and husband in burial at Fort Rosecrans Cemetery in her beloved Point Loma.
Aillene is survived by her four sons, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Aillene is remembered for her unwavering commitment, her devotion and her desire to share her passions with so many. Her contribution to hostelling is treasured by the local council of Hostelling International as well as the national office.
A service is planned for Friday, April 25 at All Souls Episcopal Church in Point Loma at 11 a.m. A reception will follow at the Point Loma Hostel.
HI-USA, San Diego Council is affiliated with the International Youth Hostel Federation’s global network of more than 4,000 hostels in over 60 countries.
In addition to the Point Loma Hostel, the San Diego Council of HI-USA operates a hostel Downtown in the heart of the Gaslamp District. HI-USA, San Diego also reaches out to the community through cultural education programs.
The mission of the San Diego Council is “to help all, especially the young, gain a greater understanding of the world and its people through hostelling.”
For more information, please contact the San Diego Council at (619) 338-9981.