J. Elaine Carmody

1946 - 2024

J. Elaine Carmody

South Deerfield, MA - Jackie Elaine Carmody (née Graham), aged 78, passed away on October 30, 2024, in South Deerfield, MA. Born on September 26, 1946, in Stockton, CA, to Junior William and Jackie (Speights) Graham; she was the oldest of seven children. After marrying her first great love, Robert Carmody (deceased, 1987), she moved to the East Coast, and eventually settled in Colrain, Ma., where together they had five wonderful children.

After her husband's death, Elaine dedicated many years of her career as the Assistant to the Administration at Mohawk Trail Regional High School. She was not only an essential part of the Front Office team but also a beloved figure among staff and students alike. It was also at this time when she met her second great love and best friend, Michael Ellis. They became inseparable.

Beyond her professional contributions, Elaine was a talented writer and poet, capturing the beauty and nuances of life in her words. In her earlier years, she was also a gifted painter, utilizing mixed media such as ink, watercolor, and oils to express her artistic vision. Her creative spirit was a source of joy and inspiration to those around her.

Elaine's sharp wit, laughter, and endless capacity to give will be profoundly missed. She leaves behind her second great love and best friend of nearly 25 years, Michael Ellis and our Havanese brother, Ernie, who served as her emotional support dog. She has five surviving younger siblings: Rick and Linda Graham of Redmond, OR., Linda and Dick Barlow of Klamath, OR., Dennis Graham of Richmond, WA, David Graham of Florence, OR. and Patricia Graham and Britt Buckalew, She will be missed by her five children, Robert and Melissa (Dennison) Carmody of Buckland MA, Donna Carmody and Patrick Moriarty of Conway, MA., Jenipher and Todd Patenaude of Missoula, MT., Emiley Lynde and Walter Pekarski of Whately, MA., and Donald Carmody and Katie (Forman-Cook) Carmody of Hernando, FLA. and Michael's three lovely children, Neal Ellis and Elena Proakis-Ellis of Wakefield, MA., Christopher Ellis and Kim Van Ellis of Groton, MA., and Amy Ellis-Durini and Lucciano Durini of San Clemente, CA. She was blessed with twenty amazing grandchildren, and twelve incredible great-grandchildren, some of whom knew and loved her as 'Dahlin'. She loved us all as one big family and cherished each and every one of us deeply.

A Celebration of Life for family and friends will be held to honor Elaine's memories on November 17th, at Terrazza restaurant in Greenfield, Ma., from 1-5pm. Her legacy of love, art, and kindness will undoubtedly live on through the many lives she touched. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Mary Lyon Foundation, website: marylyonfoundation.org.