Lora Tell, Lakeport resident and co-owner of the Edgewater Resort in Kelseyville, Calif., passed away suddenly on Tuesday, May 22, 2012. She was 57 years old.

Lora is survived by her business partner, Sandra West, and her life partner, Kathy Keys, both of Kelseyville, and many good friends.

Lora is also survived by one cousin, Linda [husband, Jan] in Sacramento, and four cousins, Rhonda, Joyce [husband, Mitch], Anita and Neil, and an aunt and uncle all living on the East Coast.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Sam and Terry Tell, and her sister, Nora.

Lora graduated from Radford University in Virginia in 1978, and worked as a physical education instructor before moving to San Francisco in 1980 where she worked in telecommunications. Lora and Sandra met in 1989 and together they purchased the Edgewater Resort in 1996.  

Born on March 31, 1955, Lora grew up on Long Island, New York.

Her father, Sam Tell owned the first Sea Ray boat franchise in the United States. She grew up helping her father around the dock and it became her lifelong passion.

Lora loved boating and being in and around the water. If it involved a dog, a boat and a sunny day, Lora was always up for some fun.

She loved to play the curmudgeon, but with a twinkle in her eye and a heart of gold. That twinkle and her big heart will be greatly missed by her friends and family, and every dog she ever met.

Lora will be buried in the Mount Ararat Jewish Cemetery on Long Island, New York on June 7, 2012.  A private celebration of her life will be held at the resort.