Hope Elaine Quackenbush, age 65, went home to be with Jesus on February 18, 2019. She was born in Saratoga Springs, NY on December 10, 1953.
She is survived by her honorary parents, Charles and LaVerne MacDonald of WV; Foster mother, Lela McCleary;
one sister and her family, Robben Thompson of NY; one brother and his family, Gary Quackenbush of MA; one cousin and her family, Helen Duell of NY;
and her loving honorary and foster siblings and their families.
Elaine was preceded in death by her birth parents, Bert and Mildred Quackenbush; 2 brothers, Wayne Quackenbush and Bert Quackenbush;
an Aunt and Uncle, Foster and Wilma Woodcock; and her beloved Foster Parents Alice Palm, and Charles Palm and Charles McCleary.
During her childhood and teen years Elaine was raised in foster homes and was deeply grateful to the two families who provided such
love and care to her in her younger years, The Charles Palm Family and the Charles McCleary Family. Charles and LaVerne MacDonald
of Grafton became honorary parents to Elaine later in life and she called them Mom and Dad. Elaine attended Adirondack Bible College in Northville, NY
and graduated with an Associate Degree in Religious Studies. She worked for several decades as a missionary to the American Indians in Martin, South Dakota
and more recently at the Free Trinity Navajo Mission in Gamerco, New Mexico. During these years she was an elementary teacher at the private mission schools
where she served. She loved children and related to them in a delightful way. Being a teacher was something she truly enjoyed and even years later she could
recall the names of her students and the mischievous events and adorable quotes they often entertained her with. Elaine also worked as a Nurse’s Aide before
and after her missionary work. She worked as a caregiver for the elderly in recent years and was well known among the residents of Marion Unity Manor,
where she resided until her death.
She loved animals and those who knew her were often regaled with tales of her beloved pets Patches (one very ornery Equine)
and Kazan, her beautiful husky dog. Elaine enjoyed travel, hiking and exploring the outdoors, reading, listening to audio books and old-time radio productions, and
spending time with her many friends and family. In 2017 she fulfilled a lifelong dream of seeing the ocean and spent a beautiful 10 days at the South Carolina shore.
Elaine was a member of the Evangelical Wesleyan Church. She attended McConkey Chapel in Grafton and Meadowdale Wesleyan Church in Fairmont and was a
devoted Christian who shared the love of Jesus, thru her actions, with others at every opportunity. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
Rest in peace dearest Daughter, Sister, Aunt, Cousin and Friend.
The family will receive friends at the Donald G. Ford Funeral Home in Grafton on Thursday, February 21, 2019 from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
Funeral services will follow at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Charles E. MacDonald officiating.
Interment will follow at the Pride Cemetery.