I was very sad to read of Elaine's death.
I briefly crossed paths with your mom back in 1976-1977, when I had the pleasure of working with her at a social work internship (at the quaintly-named "Child & Family Services of the Chicago Home for the Friendless").
At the time, I was a 20-something and Elaine was an older student returning to school. Recall that I truly enjoyed her company as one of a small group of graduate students squeezed into a drab, windowless "office" on the upper floors of the agency's quarters on Wabash, our desks rattled at intervals by the "El train" passing by every few minutes. Despite the decidedly unstylish setting, I remember that your mom was always dressed to the T and, in the winter months, brought glamor into our lives by wearing her beautiful fur coat to work! Elaine was about my mother's age, but she got along great with the rest of us, despite the generational difference. She ended up being a role model to me as I, too, later pursued another degree after I had raised (or had at least partially raised) a family - I went back to school in my mid-forties when my kids were not quite yet of high school age.
I lost touch with Elaine after our internship; I hope she achieved what she'd set out to do.. However, even if she did not end up using her training in the social services field, she is to be admired for pursuing her studies and persevering in her quest to gain new skills.
Please accept my heartfelt condolences on her loss.
Janet Garcia (Shaffer)
August 28, 2024
