Elaine Gilson

Elaine Gilson, 87, passed away on October 5, 2025. She was born on July 7, 1938, in Boston. She grew up in the town of Reading where she fondly reminisced about childhood memories she had with her brothers and walking to and from school with friends. She loved to drive by her old house when we were in the area. She spent her summers in Kennebunkport, Maine, where her grandparents ran a bed and breakfast. During those months, she lived in town and worked in local hotels. She graduated from Wakefield High School and soon after met her husband Chester in Lynnfield. They married and started a family adopting a son and a daughter. They bought a house on Chestnut Street in Lynnfield and raised their children in a neighborhood that would create lasting memories and friendships. Before children, she began her career commuting to the Federal Reserve Bank in Boston on the train where she loved to shop for clothes and explore the city on her lunch breaks. She stopped working to raise her children and then returned to work as a teacher's aide at Beverly School for the Deaf where her son had attended. She was amazing with the kids and was truly valued by her coworkers. Her hobbies above all else were her love of books and reading. She loved her crosswords too and a competitive game of scrabble with her mother and brother. She loved big band music and loved to listen to Benny Goodman, Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday. In her younger days, she liked to play badminton and tennis.

She is survived by her children, Jennifer Tammaro of North Andover and Scott Gilson of Tewksbury; her grandchildren Nicole and Brandon Tammaro of North Andover; her brother Stephen Doane and her nieces and nephews. Elaine was predeceased by her mother Ethel Doane; father Lawson Doane; brother Fred Doane and ex husband Chester Gilson.

Elaine will be remembered for the love and care she showed to her family. She will be deeply missed and forever cherished by all who knew her. Services will be private.