Obituary for Elaine J. Moore
Elaine Joyce Moore, 87, of Coldwater passed away Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at Drews Place of Coldwater.
The family was cared for by Dutcher Funeral Home in Coldwater.
Elaine was born August 22, 1935 to George & Lillian (Ridderman) Moore in Muskegon, Michigan. She was a 1953 graduate of Grand Haven High School, and received her B.A. and Masters degrees from Michigan State University where she was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority.
Elaine married Richard Moore on June 22, 1957 in Fremont, Michigan. He preceded her in death on May 19, 2014.
During her early years, she was on the founding committee for the Coldwater Pre-School Co-Op Nursery plus holding officer positions (1959-1963); in the newly formed JayShe group as a charter member where a fluoride clinic was started (1958+); President of American Association of University Women (AAUW) twice; Edison School PTA involvement for several years. Was Jaycee young woman of the year in 1967.
Elaine was an approved school social worker for 11 years with Branch Intermediate School that involved Bronson, Quincy and Coldwater elementary schools. She also started Agency Round Table in 1969, Job Club in 1981, and was on the committee that implemented Peer Counseling at Coldwater High School in 1980. For many years Elaine was involved with Listening Ear Crisis Line Board, was on the Coldwater Library Board as President, was on the Branch County Mental Health Board for 14 months and was a volunteer twice a week at the Branch County Jail visiting with women in jail bringing and doing crafts. She was instrumental in planting flowers in the library Park corner for the first time in 1983.
Elaine also worked for Coldwater Community Schools as a Home-School Liaison Worker for 11 years, taught a court-ordered class for parents and family communications in Adult Education. She was a medical social worker with the Tri-County Health Department in a newly formed Prenatal Clinic in St. Joseph County. Before she retired she also was a social worker at the Shelter House. During her tenure with Coldwater Schools she developed the “I’m Marvelous” for Young 5 years olds and a kindergarten unit as well as “Marvelous Me” for first grade. She was involved with and developed with other school Counselors the “We Care” Program.
Elaine was a charter Member of Altrusa, holding many offices including President. She also received the Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award in 1984.
In 1988 and 1989 Elaine developed the Crane Prisons Women’s Workshop Event. She was on the board for Cranes “Kids need Moms Program”. She was also on the D.D.A. Board for several years. Many times she talked her friends into doing a program for Women’s History Month (March) for several club appearances.
Elaine and her husband Dick enjoyed RVing for 19 years traveling through 43 states and Canada. They also traveled to 28 countries including South America, Africa, Australia and New Zealand. For 14 Years they were “snowbirds” in North Ft Myers, FL. Elaine was Queen of 2 Red Hat Society groups. Summers were spent with their National RV Club once a month either in Ohio, Indiana or Michigan.
Reading was a passion; she started 3 Book Discussion groups in her retirement years. For relaxation Elaine did crewel embroidery, and then did stamped cross stitch items. She added latch hook rugs for a while. She more recently did needlepoint pillows giving them away to many of her “girlfriends”. Her hands needed to be busy and it was her therapy.
While wintering in Florida, she volunteered in an elementary school twice a week, an Animal Rescue Center and read to a North Ft. Myers Pre-School. She was a Literacy Buddy for many years in Lee County in Florida. She volunteered to read to Head Start classes after returning to Coldwater from winters. She really enjoyed those little people. Elaine tutored at Jefferson School “School of Hope”. Many local charities were supported by Elaine, such as Family Promise, AABS, Humane Society as well as Tibbits Opera House. ”Beautiful music” was always on in her home. Weekly lunches with her “girlfriends” was a highlight. She continued to love her Doxy rescue dogs. Pumpkin and Sophie.
Elaine was a member of MARSP, Women Who Care in Branch County, and monthly meetings ASDIQA (Branch County Friends from Around the World). After Elaine turned 80, she took her children on several trips with American Cruise Lines. She also gave herself “birthday parties” on the August date for her many “girlfriends” always ending with bubbles.
Elaine is survived by her children Pam Moore (Judy Fresard) of Guffey CO, and Clayton Moore of Lansing, MI, her younger sister Ellen Stob of Wyoming, MI. In addition to her husband, Elaine was preceded in death by her parents.
There will be no formal service, cremation has taken place. If you knew Elaine, celebrate her life by taking a friend to lunch and tell them the things we often think of only after someone is gone. If desired, donations can be made to the Humane Society of Branch County, 969 Wildwood Road Quincy, MI 49082 in Elaine’s memory. www.dutcherfh.com.
The family was cared for by Dutcher Funeral Home in Coldwater.
Elaine was born August 22, 1935 to George & Lillian (Ridderman) Moore in Muskegon, Michigan. She was a 1953 graduate of Grand Haven High School, and received her B.A. and Masters degrees from Michigan State University where she was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority.
Elaine married Richard Moore on June 22, 1957 in Fremont, Michigan. He preceded her in death on May 19, 2014.
During her early years, she was on the founding committee for the Coldwater Pre-School Co-Op Nursery plus holding officer positions (1959-1963); in the newly formed JayShe group as a charter member where a fluoride clinic was started (1958+); President of American Association of University Women (AAUW) twice; Edison School PTA involvement for several years. Was Jaycee young woman of the year in 1967.
Elaine was an approved school social worker for 11 years with Branch Intermediate School that involved Bronson, Quincy and Coldwater elementary schools. She also started Agency Round Table in 1969, Job Club in 1981, and was on the committee that implemented Peer Counseling at Coldwater High School in 1980. For many years Elaine was involved with Listening Ear Crisis Line Board, was on the Coldwater Library Board as President, was on the Branch County Mental Health Board for 14 months and was a volunteer twice a week at the Branch County Jail visiting with women in jail bringing and doing crafts. She was instrumental in planting flowers in the library Park corner for the first time in 1983.
Elaine also worked for Coldwater Community Schools as a Home-School Liaison Worker for 11 years, taught a court-ordered class for parents and family communications in Adult Education. She was a medical social worker with the Tri-County Health Department in a newly formed Prenatal Clinic in St. Joseph County. Before she retired she also was a social worker at the Shelter House. During her tenure with Coldwater Schools she developed the “I’m Marvelous” for Young 5 years olds and a kindergarten unit as well as “Marvelous Me” for first grade. She was involved with and developed with other school Counselors the “We Care” Program.
Elaine was a charter Member of Altrusa, holding many offices including President. She also received the Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award in 1984.
In 1988 and 1989 Elaine developed the Crane Prisons Women’s Workshop Event. She was on the board for Cranes “Kids need Moms Program”. She was also on the D.D.A. Board for several years. Many times she talked her friends into doing a program for Women’s History Month (March) for several club appearances.
Elaine and her husband Dick enjoyed RVing for 19 years traveling through 43 states and Canada. They also traveled to 28 countries including South America, Africa, Australia and New Zealand. For 14 Years they were “snowbirds” in North Ft Myers, FL. Elaine was Queen of 2 Red Hat Society groups. Summers were spent with their National RV Club once a month either in Ohio, Indiana or Michigan.
Reading was a passion; she started 3 Book Discussion groups in her retirement years. For relaxation Elaine did crewel embroidery, and then did stamped cross stitch items. She added latch hook rugs for a while. She more recently did needlepoint pillows giving them away to many of her “girlfriends”. Her hands needed to be busy and it was her therapy.
While wintering in Florida, she volunteered in an elementary school twice a week, an Animal Rescue Center and read to a North Ft. Myers Pre-School. She was a Literacy Buddy for many years in Lee County in Florida. She volunteered to read to Head Start classes after returning to Coldwater from winters. She really enjoyed those little people. Elaine tutored at Jefferson School “School of Hope”. Many local charities were supported by Elaine, such as Family Promise, AABS, Humane Society as well as Tibbits Opera House. ”Beautiful music” was always on in her home. Weekly lunches with her “girlfriends” was a highlight. She continued to love her Doxy rescue dogs. Pumpkin and Sophie.
Elaine was a member of MARSP, Women Who Care in Branch County, and monthly meetings ASDIQA (Branch County Friends from Around the World). After Elaine turned 80, she took her children on several trips with American Cruise Lines. She also gave herself “birthday parties” on the August date for her many “girlfriends” always ending with bubbles.
Elaine is survived by her children Pam Moore (Judy Fresard) of Guffey CO, and Clayton Moore of Lansing, MI, her younger sister Ellen Stob of Wyoming, MI. In addition to her husband, Elaine was preceded in death by her parents.
There will be no formal service, cremation has taken place. If you knew Elaine, celebrate her life by taking a friend to lunch and tell them the things we often think of only after someone is gone. If desired, donations can be made to the Humane Society of Branch County, 969 Wildwood Road Quincy, MI 49082 in Elaine’s memory. www.dutcherfh.com.