Funeral Details

Truly, a lovely lady who will be remembered with warmth and a smile.

laurel falken

Elaine's Graveside Tribute

I speak with love today on behalf of my parents, Ben & Shelley and my grandparents, Sam & Betty, as well as myself.

My mother, Shelley, was big sister to three wonderful younger sisters:
Aunt Hadassah, first cousin Elaine, & first cousin Miki.

Which means I had three big sisters, Aunt Hadassah, cousin Elaine, and cousin Miki.

My mother's key supportive Big Sister role is exemplified in the story cousin Elaine told me just several months ago.

When Elaine was a young lady, she was asked on a date by a very tall, very handsome, very charming young man.

She lacked the perfect important dress to make this important date perfect. Elaine hurried across the hall to my mother, Shelley, and told her of the dilemma. Shelley gave Elaine her own precious prized purple dress to wear on that date. Elaine wore the dress for her first date with Eddie Orlan. Perhaps the most pivotal date of her life. Just ask Andrea & Josh, Rachel, Jed, Rob, Nathaniel, Noah, Moshe, Renny, Sarah & Jacob.

When I was growing up we remained very close to Elaine & Eddie. So close, we lived in the same apartment building. In fact practically everyone lived in the same apartment building. Miki, Sarah, & Leo, and across the street, my grandparents, Sam & Betty, Betty & Sam, Sam & Betty, Betty & Sam.

We lived in a world that is long gone and still here. A world created and perpetuated by the warmth of family ties which were organically bound by the love and surety which any child would treasure. Which I did and still do.

When Elaine would call me on my birthday every year, I felt so uniquely honored and loved. Of course she called my cousins Jon, Dan, and Liz on their birthdays too, so maybe I was not all that unique. But I know that we all felt uniquely honored and loved.

Today we cry real tears with real pain. Today we mourn with beloved memories along with boundless appreciation for Elaine and those who fill our world of yesteryear and sustain our aspirations of tomorrow.

As Josh has said, life is about gratitude and giving. Elaine gave and gave. With openness of heart and generosity of spirit. And we are so, so, so eternally grateful.


with love,
Cousin Everett
and on behalf of
Sam & Betty, Sam & Betty;
Ben & Shelley, Shelley & Ben
10-5-21





everett sherman