Elaine J. Raeburn

Elaine J. Raeburn was born in 1927 in Waterbury, CT. Her parents, Lena and Leo Ruggiero, had four childing including Norma Sullivan (deceased), Leona Ruggiero, and Robert Ruggiero (deceased). Elaine passed away at the age of 94 at Country Pleasures, her assisted living home in Traverse City, MI. Of Italian descent and raised on the east coast, she brought her steady strength and passion for life to every community in which she lived.

Earning her high school diploma from Waterbury Catholic Highschool in 1945, she continued her education at Skidmore College, earning a Bachelor of Science in Art Education in 1949. The following year, Elaine married her high school sweetheart and true love, Rowland A. Raeburn (deceased 2018). Prior to becoming a mother, she taught visual art to elementary and high school students in Connecticut and New Mexico. Row and Elaine raised a family of three: Joan E. Holland (spouse David Holland), Pamela M. Soha, deceased 2013 (spouse Phil Soha, deceased), and James C. Raeburn (spouse Julie Raeburn). Elaine is survived by 11 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild, all knew her as Mimi.

Dedicated to serving others, she succeeded in making the world a better place in the ways she cared for those around her. In an interview about her work with Habitat for Humanity, she says, "you can't conceive of people living the way some of the people in this county are living...they are people and have needs just like I do, and I want to help them."

Her non-profit work included the Christ Child Society, in Akron, OH where she was also extremely instrumental in building the Ronald McDonald House, which came to be known as "the house Elaine built". When she and Rowland moved to Elizabethtown, KY, she continued her service work as treasurer and as member of the nurturing committee for the Hardin County Habitat for Humanity.

Elaine's powerful love for her family and friends was expressed in the way she and Row created a welcoming space for all. As an artist and creative spirit, her home was her canvas. Cooking and bringing people together was her joy and her gift.

Father Jarvis of Christ the King Catholic Church will officiate her funeral at The Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City, MI on Monday, November 30, 2020. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Funeral can be attended virtually via the You Tube link: www.rjfh.tv Visitation begins at 10:30 am, followed by the Service at 11:00. Immediately following the Funeral, there will be a Catholic burial at Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens, where Elaine will be buried by Rowland.

In lieu of flowers, a donation in Elaine J. Raeburn's name may be made to: Ronald McDonald House, Akron House, 141 West State Street Akron, OH. 44302, website: rmhakron.org, or Hardin County Habitat for Humanity, 2816 Ring Road, Elizabethtown, KY 42701, or Country Pleasures Assisted Living 1818 River Ridge Road, Traverse City, MI. 49696


Please share a memory with Elaine's family by visiting her tribute page found at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com . The Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services is serving the family.