Elaine Craig

1930 - 2024

Elaine Craig
02/21/1930 - 05/10/2024
Elaine Cuyler Craig (Roddy) died peacefully on May 10, 2024, in her home in Park City, UT, at the age of 94. Born February 21, 1930 in Worcester, Massachusetts, Elaine was the youngest of three children of Lillian Elsie Oppermann Roddy and Irving Gaines Roddy. The family moved often, residing in Idaho, Nebraska, California and Washington. She attended Linfield College, graduating in 1953, earned a M.A. in English Literature from University of Colorado, Boulder in 1957, and pursued doctoral studies in English at University of Wisconsin, Madison. During this time she volunteered with the American Friends Service Committee in Mexico in the summer of 1954 and with UNESCO on a project in Kefalonia, Greece, in the summer of 1956.
Elaine had a distinguished teaching career at both secondary and college levels. She served as Assistant Professor of English at Willamette University and San Francisco State University, teacher of Advanced Placement English to students in grades 11-12, and coordinator of the English Resource Center at Mercy High School in San Francisco. Elaine was deeply committed to community service, holding various positions including on the Board of Trustees of Linfield College, Board of Directors of San Francisco YWCA, University of California Hospitals Auxiliary, and San Francisco United Nations Association, and Deacon at Calvary Presbyterian Church.
In 1967, she married Dr. John C. Craig, Professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry at UCSF. They enjoyed 45 years together, primarily residing in San Francisco but also spending significant time in London and Hertfordshire. During this time John and Elaine raised a family, collaborated on their side project, Craig Books, as antiquarian cookery book collectors and dealers, and traveled extensively.
Elaine is survived by her sister, Evelyn S. Colwell; her daughter, Elizabeth (Liz) Craig Myers; son-in-law, Eric Myers; grandson, Benjamin (Ben) Myers; and granddaughter, Katherine (Kate) Myers. She was preceded in death by her brother, Kimball A. Roddy, and her husband, John C. Craig.
Elaine was known for her independent spirit, positive attitude, and love for literature. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends. In accordance with her wishes, "In lieu of flowers, buy yourself a good book!"