Elaine Harlan

Elaine Bruce Harlan, age 88, of Amherst, Ohio died peacefully on Friday, December 2, 2011, after celebrating a wonderful Thanksgiving Day visiting with her family. Elaine was born August 13, 1923. As a youngster she enjoyed bicycle riding and had perfect attendance throughout her 12 years of schooling, a graduate of the Class of 1941. She was co-founder and President of a high school girl's club, the Ski-Hi Club. A member of the Old Stone Methodist Church, Elaine was a Sunday school teacher. She married a darling redheaded sailor, William W. Harlan, in 1947, and after a call back from the Navy and eight years of dental school, they began their life together in Amherst. Elaine was a community volunteer extraordinaire and co-founded and was President of the Lorain County Dental Auxiliary and was President of the Ohio State Dental Auxiliary. She co-founded and was President of the Twigbenders organization. Elaine was President of the Amherst Hospital Auxiliary (the Gray Ladies.) She was a member of the Masonic Eastern Stars. Elaine was the first President of the Friends of the Amherst Library. She was 2nd. Vice President of the Herb Guild Organization, and an active member of the Amherst Historical Society. She became known as the "Violet Lady," delivering May Day baskets to friends around town. Her special memories included mystery trips for special birthdays, collecting antiques, annual 4th. of July picnics, the Harlan Golf Tournament, and hosting fifty annual clambakes. Elaine was a devoted wife to surviving husband, Bill and a loving mother to her children who survive her: Pamela Ribic of Centerville, Hallie (Scott) Krieg of Dublin, and Kirk (Gale) Harlan of Clemmons, NC; and four grandchildren, Slate (Katie Tansky) and Sasha Ribic (Nate Farley); Quinn (James) Dowling, and Carly Krieg. A dear great-grandson Parker Ribic, who sat on her knee on Thanksgiving Day, survives her. She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Maddaline Bruce, brother, Cletus and sister, Beverly. The Harlan family will receive family and friends to celebrate Elaine's life on Friday, December 9, 2011 from 1:00 p.m. until time of Memorial Service at 2:00 p.m. in the Dovin and Reber Jones Funeral & Cremation Center, 1110 Cooper Foster Park Road, Amherst. Rev. Dan Reinke, Pastor of Old Stone Methodist Church, will officiate. Immediately following the service a gathering will take place at the Amherst Historical Society, Milan Avenue. Private interment will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Friends of Amherst Library, 221 Spring Street, Amherst, OH 44001.

Elaine Harlan

August 13, 1923 - December 2, 2011

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Elaine Harlan

August 13, 1923 - December 2, 2011

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

365 Days of Grief Support