Aina Bisbee passed away peacefully at home on November 17, 2023, at 8:26am at the age of 81.
Aina, daughter of Peter and Dorothy Williams, was born on October 12, 1942, in Niagara Falls, New York. The Williams family moved to Santa Ana, California where Aina met the love of her life, Bob Bisbee, while paddling around Newport Harbor on a surfboard in 1959. In November of 1960, Bob and Aina were married and moved to Playa Del Rey where Bob took on a position running a new marine fuel dock for Union Oil. One year later in 1961, Bob and Aina celebrated the birth of their eldest son, Bob Jr., and then Wayne in 1964, Erik in 1968, and then their daughter Patricia in 1970. As the family grew, Bob Bisbee acquired the Union 76 fuel dock in Newport Harbor which just happened to be the Shell fuel dock where he met Aina in 1959. As Bob continued to expand his businesses, Aina was busy taking care of the 4 kids. Aina was a devoted housewife, who not only supported her ambitious husband but had a family of four to raise. Aina was involved in the kids PTA, being a den mother, volunteer for any event from band to synchronized swimming to diving and to horses where Wayne and Trishia were national champions, to fishing, boating and motor cross which Bob Jr and Erik were passionate about. Aina managed to juggle all the activities of her children every day. With all the sports and activities, which greatly differed with every kid, Aina managed to keep the family on track, take care of the home and have dinner on the table every night. Being the Matriarch of the Bisbee family was not an easy task, but Aina was a loving mother who put her children’s and husband’s needs before her own every day. When Aina could have a quiet moment, she enjoyed reading, catching up with her childhood friends and doting over her animals.
In the words of Bob Jr, we weren’t the easiest kids to raise, and Mom was anything but a timid housewife. Mom ruled our home and family with an iron fist. Rightly so, because as kids, we all wanted to do different things and we all wanted different things. Mom was tough but she was loving and supported us 100% in our quests as we grew up, to her last breath. When we did something wrong, Mom was there. If we got hurt, Mom was there and would fuss over us and make us better. Dad was a workaholic and was a loving father and provider, but Mom was the Matriarch who kept everything together. We couldn’t ask for better parents and will always strive to be the legacy of what Mom and Dad created.
Aina is survived by her children Bob Jr., Wayne, Erik and Tricia. Her grandchildren Blake, Jordyn, Jaime, Paige, Amelia and Chloe and five great grandchildren.
In Aina’s last writing to her children, she wrote:
To my children, this I say.
Do not grieve for me this day.
I’ve gone to meet a gracious man whom I have loved and loved again.
I am so lucky to have been loved by him through thick and thin.
I had a dream, he spoke to me, to him I go so willingly.
I miss him so, I cannot stay, so go I must away, away.
He’ll meet with me such open arms, and I will be where I belong.
A kiss upon my cheek he’ll place, with no regrets, upon his face.
Don’t cry for me, the dye is cast, with my true love, I am home at last.
Though Aina has requested no funeral or service, a celebration of life will be held at a future date. Aina has asked to be cremated and placed with her husband Bob Bisbee Sr. in the blue waters at Lands’ End, Cabo San Lucas.
Please contact Bob Jr at Bisbeesmarine@aol.com if you would like to be informed of Aina’s celebration of life or the joining of Aina and Bob in Cabo.