Rochelle Ladd

Rochelle Jeanne Elizalde was born November 16, 1952, in Bakersfield, California, the second of four daughters to Louie and Janice Elizalde. She attended Horace Mann, Harding, and Colonel Nichols Elementary Schools, Compton Junior High, and Foothill High School, graduating in 1970. After high school she worked at Wickersham Jewelers and the answering service along with part-time modeling while earning her degree in child development at Bakersfield College. She then worked as a preschool teacher until marrying the love of her life, Mike Ladd, in 1973. Starting in 1973 she worked for American National Bank and then several years for Occidental Petroleum where she excelled at Human Resources and truly enjoyed what she did. She became a working mother with the birth of her first child, Aramee, in 1977, then Brianna in 1979, and Logan in 1982. Following the death of her father Louie in 1979, she went to work with her mother Janice and her uncle Albert at the Noriega Hotel. After the death of her Uncle Albert in 1988, Rochelle and her sister Linda joined forces with their mother Janice to continue the family business at Noriega's.

Rochelle was always very involved in her children's lives, including leading the Booster Club at Franklin Elementary and helping in their classrooms when she could. She enjoyed walking in her beloved Westchester neighborhood and was well-known as much for her fun-loving spirit and kindness as she was for her many talents, including her green thumb and gorgeous garden, her legendary baking, and the always-open door of her beautiful home to all her children's friends. She was her children's biggest cheerleader in anything they did and became a "second mom" to many others along the way. The saying rang true for Rochelle, that to know her was to love her, but no one did that more so than her beloved husband of nearly 50 years, Mike.

Rochelle fought a long 30-year battle against heart disease while still carrying a smile on her face and incredible amounts of love in her heart. She was the epitome of charm and grace, even as her health issues accelerated. After being forced to close Noriega Hotel in 2020 due to the pandemic and economic downturn, her health issues increased, leading to a sudden cardiac arrest on January 8th. A heartfelt thank you goes out to the Bakersfield City Fire Department, Station #1 and paramedics who did all they could, as well as to Tricia Frank for unwavering support, help, and love for Mike and Rochelle during crisis.

Rochelle is survived by her adoring husband Mike, beloved children Aramee Hagemeier and husband Eric, Brianna Tison and husband Brad, Logan Ladd and fiance Tricia Frank, precious grandchildren Damien Smith, Finley Hagemeier, Ben Tison, and Josephine Tison, and soon-to-be great-grandson, Lucas Smith. She is also survived by her much-loved sisters, Grace Elizalde-Ware, Cindy Elizalde, and Linda Elizalde-McCoy, special cousin, Michele Magyar, dearest Uncle Joe Miller, and the extended and loving Ladd family.

Rochelle will also be remembered by many friends from the Westchester neighborhood, Franklin School, the Noriega Hotel, and the Basque community where she made an indelible impact.

Visitation will be Thursday, January 26th from 5:00-8:00pm at Basham Funeral Care, 3312 Niles Street. Rosary and Mass will be Friday, January 27th at 1:30pm and 2:00pm respectively, at St. Francis Catholic Church, 900 'H' Street. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association in Rochelle's memory.