1924
2016
4843 Auto Center Way, Suite, A
Bremerton, Washington
Elaine Ellen Cornwall
October 30, 1924 ~ June 11, 2016
Born Elaine Ellen Prince in Ellensburg, WA, Elaine, her parents Pansy Ellen and (Estle) Frank Prince, and her Brother Gale, lived in many locations in the Northwest.
After her parent's divorce, she moved with her mother and brother back to her grandparent's farm in Middleton, Idaho. Her mother married John Ver Strate and they settled in Caldwell. Elaine graduated from Caldwell High School in 1942. She was majorette, and prom queen her senior year.
Elaine attended The College of Idaho and Utah State, majoring in journalism. During the war, she married US Serviceman Carlos Garcia. After the war, they moved to Los Angeles, CA where their son, Mark, was born in 1948. They moved Walnut Creek, CA, where their daughter, Robin, was born in 1950.
Shortly after, they divorced, and Elaine moved with her two small children to Stibnite Idaho, where her parents lived. When the mine closed, they moved back to Caldwell. Elaine married Jean Wesley Cornwall in 1952. They had a son, David, in 1954. They moved to Seattle. Their second son, Steven, was born in 1955.
Elaine worked a number of jobs in Seattle, eventually working for at the UW medical School for many years.
Elaine and Jean divorced in 1964 and Elaine raised her four children by herself under challenging circumstances.
After retirement, Elaine traveled nationally and internationally, something she had always dreamed of.
Elaine loved art of all forms including opera, ballet, classical music, and was a member of the Seattle Art Museum.
Elaine walked almost every day. She swam a mile a couple of times a week.
Her grandchildren were her delight and Elaine loved having them stay with her. They all have fond memories of stays with Grandma.
Elaine moved to Bremerton in 2015, to be closer to her daughter. She passed away on Saturday, June 11, after a battle with cancer. She was 91.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Pansy and John Ver Strate, and by two sons, Mark and Steven Cornwall. She is survived by her daughter, Robin Richardson (Bruce) of Bremerton, her son, David Cornwall (Linda) of Olympia, her brother, Gale Prince of Boise, her niece Linda Deputy (John) of Boise, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Elaine was greatly loved and will be dearly missed.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, June 25, 2 PM at St. Pauls Episcopal Church, 700 Callahan Dr, Bremerton, WA 98310. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Cancer Society.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by The Idaho Statesman.
2 Entries
Elaine brought so much to our little church St. David Emmanuel in Shoreline. She was a person of strong faith, kind, disarmingly honest, practical, and with a wonderful dash of good humor. I am so thankful that she was with us.
Peggy Hudson
July 4, 2016
Elaine was an amazing mother-in-law to me and an incredible grandma to our kids. She was the strongest and yet most sensitive woman I have known. It was my great pleasure to have known her and to have her in my life for the past 37 years. We will miss you very much, Dear Elaine.
Bruce Richardson
June 25, 2016
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Tuell-McKee Funeral and Cremation Services of Bremerton - Bremerton4843 Auto Center Way, Suite, A, Bremerton, WA 98312
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