Elaine Cahn

Elaine Cahn
Elaine Beryl Douglas Cahn died peacefully at home on January 9, 2025. She was surrounded by family. She was 102 and 5 ½ months, with plans to do more.
Inspiring. Iconic. Indomitable.
Born in Salt Lake City, and raised in Delta, Utah, her family moved to New York City when she was nine, where she pursued her life-long career as a research editor. She received a BA in English from Brooklyn College. She was research editor for "Silver Platter" by Ellen Berlin (1957), wife of Irving Berlin.
Elaine moved to San Francisco from New York City in 1956 upon marrying. She received Master's Degrees in English and Anthropology from San Francisco State University. For over 20 years combining interests, Elaine published a newsletter, FOODTALK (Library of Congress) "The Newsletter For People Who Enjoy Food For The Mind as Well As The Table."
For decades she worked as a volunteer program officer for the State Department's International Diplomacy Council. Wordsmith, world traveler, modest - Elaine was a trailblazer.
Across four decades, she served as the Richmond District representative for the San Francisco Public Library (SFPL). Elaine's commitment and dedication through decades of esteemed service to SFPL was borne of her zest for reading, books and learning that remained central throughout her long life. Her wisdom, quick wit and humor shone magnificently in her later years.
Elaine's understated elegance, extraordinary depth and breadth of knowledge of the arts, fashion, cultures and her adventurous world travels were a constant source of inspiration and admiration to many. She will be deeply missed, and never forgotten.
Elaine is survived by her three children: D. Benjamin Cahn, Tara M. Cahn and A. Rachel Cahn, and three grandchildren, Dannah, Ben and Avi Cahn. Elaine's late husband was Dr. Meyer M. (Mike) Cahn (d. 1983)