Ellayne Elias

We are deeply saddened to hear that Ellayne passed away.
We had the privilege of spending some time with her at the end of October/beginning of November last year. We were visiting our friend Ann, Ellayne´s sister, in Tucson, who had just moved there to be with her sister after her dear Bonnie and our best friend passed away.

Over the past 20 years and as we became close friends with Ann and Bonnie, we of course exchanged family news and this way got to know Ellayne and also learned how close Ann and Ellayne were as sisters, always supporting each other.

Anke loved to talk with Ellayne about their shared passion for nature and birds. So we asked if she would want to join us to go birding at the Paton Center for Hummingbirds in Patagonia, AZ. She used to go there often when she was in better health. We loved our trip together, and the one thing she said to us was how disappointed she was that there was so little to see because of the time of year. But for us, coming from Europe, it was a feast to see all the different hummingbirds, as we don´t have them in Europe. It was also important to us to take her with us, wearing her birding hat and enjoying the outdoors. On the way back we had dinner at a restaurant where Ellayne would normally also stop by with her birdie friends. Sadly, this was also the last time Ellayne visited the Paton Center.

Ellayne will be greatly missed by Ann´s friends as well. Her presence and the joy she brought to our lives will not be forgotten.

Our hearts go out to you in your time of sorrow. We hope you find comfort in the love and memories you shared with Ellayne. Please accept our deepest condolences.

With heartfelt sympathy,
Anita & Anke

Ellayne & I first met as freshman at U of Mass Amherst in 1964/65. We were not only in the same dorm, Mary Lyons, but we were both had the same med tech major. We were basically just classmates. However, years later in 1976, when Ellayne found out as a new sales/tech rep I had called on husband Frank, the lab director at a local hospital (?Leominster or Henry Heywood), she phoned every hotel in the area to find me so she could invite me to dinner! What a perfect example of her kindness. And that was the beginning of a long friendship. I many very delicious dinners at the Snyder´s residence. I fell in love with those 3 adorable little girls. I loved watching Ellayne working on crafts of all sorts with them & just being a great mom in general.

I moved from the Boston area to San Diego in 1988 & over the years we lost touch. As often happens when we are getting on in age, we were both trying to find each other. I don´t recall who found who, but I was delighted to visit with Ellayne in 2012 after not seeing her in decades. In 2015, she flew out to stay with me for about a week. We went everywhere, of course concentrating on birds! It was a bird paradise for Ellayne. And we continued to stay in touch. My home is filled with lovely items Ellayne has given me: a dot mandala painting on a rock, a "Santa Folk," a beautifully painted little dish, & her flower art. Ellayne lead a very full, rich life & was loved by many. I am glad she had the extra years given to her by her treatments, but for some reason nowadays, 79 just seems too young to leave the earth. This lovely woman will be missed by many.

So very sorry for your loss Laura and family . She sounds like she was an amazing person.... My deepest condolences

I met Ellayne when I was a department head at Nevins Library, Methuen. I had just started my painting journey and Ellayne was very encouraging and even bought a print. One day she brought some of her Santa statues in and we put them all over my desk as she commented on each one. Such talent!! She brought joy to all she met. My prayers go out to her family.
Sharon Morley

I met Elaine when she came to work in a private Lab in Flagstaff, AZ in 1967, I think, when Frank was working on a master's degree. He and my husband Ray who was an under grad got along great and we became good friends. One night when they had me and Ray over for dinner, she made Polynesian Pork from a recipe she got in the mail with a bunch of recipe cards. She was really proud because it because it came out looking just like the picture on the card. It also tasted really good. We had been with them early in the evening of New Years Eve, but they had a party to go to and we went on home since I was pregnant and due any day. I went into labor at 10:28 and Ray took me to the hospital where our daughter, Heather was born at 12:27 she was Flagstaff's New Years Baby for 1969. Ray went over to their place and the three of them celebrated the birth by Frank playing the record of Brigadoon and doing a toast every time the song Heathr on The Hill came on. Meanwhile I was in the hospital wide awake and alone. We sure missed them when they returned to MA. WE kept in touch for a number of years but, babies' new jobs and life got in the way, and we finally lost touch until Elaine moved to AZ. I would occasionally get her emails with her bird photos, and it was nice to know she wasn't too far from us. We moved from NM in 2008 to North Carolina when we bought a KOA campground with our children. Our daughter and son in-law manage and run it for all of us. I am almost 82, Jan. 27, and Ray is 81. I am reasonably healthy, but Ray has Lewy Body Dementia, Pulmonary Fibrosis and age-related ailments. Thank you for letting me know about Elaine's passing. She was loved and will certainly be missed.

To my dear sweet sister: you were always the one who brought the fun, laughter and smiles. How we will miss the sound of your voice, your smile, your humor, hugs and kisses. But most importantly, thank you for leaving us with your unforgettable legacy, the things you were always ready to teach us, your amazing cooking and your endless stream of talents.

Your life in this earthly realm was truly an incredible journey and now you've been reunited with your grandson Zach, Frank, Bonnie, Mom & Dad and the rest of the clan - preparing to take your next chapter. May your next ride be as amazing and unforgettable as this one and may you rest in eternal peace my sweet girl.