Elaine Hess

1940 - 2026

Elaine (Frederick) Hess, 85, of San Tan Valley AZ, formerly of Wooster Ohio ran into the arms of Jesus on Wednesday January 21, 2026, in Phoenix, AZ after a year long battle with cancer. Elaine was born in Barberton, Ohio in 1940 to Olive and Laurence Frederick. Her family moved to Kane, PA in 1944. She is a 1959 graduate of Kane High School.
She married her soulmate, Ted Hess in 1963, who proceeded her in death in 2003. The family moved to Wooster Ohio in 1974. Elaine moved to Phoenix AZ in 2011.
Elaine was always ready for a road trip or adventure with her kids, grandkids, great grandkids or close friends She loved camping. S'mores around the campfire were her favorite. She loved gardening, oil painting, bird watching and thrift shopping. She obtained her private pilots license in 1980 and loved to fly with her family. She loved being a tour guide with family and friends to Sedona, AZ and the Grand Canyon.
She is survived by her 4 children, Kathy (Steve) Snyder of Harrisburg PA, Margaret James, of Loudonville, OH, Fred Hess of Gilbert, AZ and Paul Hess of Shreve, OH. She has 8 grandchildren, Max (Kayla) Colley, Morgan (Dakota) Stewart, Jordan James, Jessica (Taylor) Straits, Ashley, Remington and Jake Hess, and Connor Hess. She will be greatly missed by her 9 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Nancy Barr of Williamsport, PA and her brother Larry Frederick of Portsmouth, VA sisters in-law Judy Hess of Wooster, Ohio and Thelma Niver of Massillon, Ohio and brother in-law Larry Hess of Cleveland, Ohio as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday March 14, 2026 at Grace Church 4599 Burbank Rd. Wooster,Ohio with visitation from 9-11 am with a service at 11:00.