Elaine Helen Choate

AUGUSTA -- Elaine Helen Choate, 76, passed away peacefully on May 31 at her home in Augusta with her family at her side.

Elaine was born on Nov. 30, 1934 in Flushing, N.Y., the daughter of Russian immigrants, Boris and Olga Dmitrieff. She entered public schools in New York not speaking English and graduated from Bayside High School. She ultimately obtained a degree from the Katherine Gibbs School in New York.

Elaine married Harlan J. Choate on Nov. 20, 1955. She earned an honorary "Putting Hubby Through" certificate from the Boston College Law School upon her husband Harlan's graduation.

Elaine was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. In addition to being a homemaker, she worked in a diversity of interesting occupations, including as a secretary for Mademoiselle magazine in New York City and at "Where It's At," a craft store owned by her dear friend, Joan Hathaway. She worked as an activities aide at the Gray Birch Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and at the Maine State Legislature from where she eventually retired.

The job she was most proud about however was being a doting grandmother. Elaine was blessed with five wonderful grandchildren who were the light of her life. Elaine loved all children and played a significant role in the lives of her nieces' and nephews' children. Elaine so loved her "little people."

Elaine enjoyed working with her hands and was a talented craftswoman. She loved painting, decorating and knitting. One of Elaine's favorite craft activities was collecting sea glass and pottery shards from the coastal shores of Downeast Maine that she would later turn into works of art. Elaine was also an avid gardener and proudly grew her own vegetables each summer.

Elaine never forgot her Russian roots and she helped numerous Russian families that immigrated into the United States in Maine. She translated for them, helped them learn English, found them jobs, and assisted them in becoming American citizens. Elaine felt blessed to be able to travel to her parent's homeland of Russia twice in her life -- once on vacation with her childhood best friend, Nina Knese, and once with her niece, Jennifer Choate, who was adopting a baby from Russia.

Elaine was predeceased by her husband, Harlan J. Choate; and her brother, Boris Alexis Dmitrieff.

She is survived by her daughters, Victoria, Sharon and Alexandra; her son-in-law, Scott Avore; and her grandchildren, Danika McClenahan, Michael Pratt, Alexandra Pratt, Katherine Avore and Malcolm Avore.

Visiting hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, June 3, at Knowlton & Hewins Funeral Home and Cremation Service, One Church St., Augusta. A memorial mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Saturday at St. Mary of The Assumption Roman Catholic Church, Western Avenue, Augusta, with the Rev. George Hickey celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery in Augusta.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to honor Elaine's life may be made to the Barbara Bush Children's Hospital, c/o Neo Natal Intensive Care Unit, 22 Bramhall St., Portland, ME 04102.

Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.khrfuneralhomes.com.