Elaine O'Connor was born on June 29, 1927 in Wenatchee, WA. She was diagnosed with Covid-19 on November 27, 2020.  She struggled valiantly with her family beside her to overcome the effects of the virus and in time, passed away peacefully of complications from Covid on January 26, 2021. She was the oldest daughter of Alfred and Agnes Sax. She grew up with her six siblings on the Sax family fruit orchard in Peshastin, WA. As the oldest, her siblings spoke of her as their "guiding light." These experiences formed her commitment to family, never ending stamina for hard work, a lifelong desire to eat well and to be healthy.

Elaine professed a strong desire to move to a big city. When she was old enough she attended high school at Holy Names Academy for girls in Seattle, WA with her sister Grace. The nuns were a big influence on her and after graduating in 1950 she made a decision to enter the Carmelite Convent. After a year, she learned that her favorite pastimes of talking and visiting were not part of the life at the cloistered convent and she left the convent to explore the bigger world. Her belief in God and her practice of the Catholic faith continued to be at the center of her life.

Elaine was always stunningly beautiful and during this time she enjoyed a short career of modeling. From 1951-1953 she attended Holy Names College in Spokane, WA, where she met and married John in 1954. They raised their 12 children together with love and chaos for 54 years, until John's death in 2009. In their later years, Elaine spent time designing and building her dream home on the Five Mile Prairie area. After John passed, her son Daniel helped her maintain the house until she moved into assisted living at Touchmark on the south hill in Spokane.

Elaine blossomed in her new environment at Touchmark and developed many new friendships. She also met her new husband, Jim Elliott, with whom she shared many happy memories before her passing. Elaine was always very curious about people's lives and really enjoyed getting to know people. She was forever sharing about her new acquaintances with all the family members, talking as if she had known these people for years and years. People loved Elaine for her sweet nature and kind accepting ways. She found ways to be of service to those most in need in the community and in the broader world. She was a favorite resident at the assisted living and the family would like thank all her special caregivers. Elaine was a devoted fan of the Gonzaga University basketball team and long after she lost her vision would still listen and follow the games and talk about them and the players as if she had perfect sight.

She was incredibly strong but even more so tenacious! She broke two hips and to the happy surprise of her children was up walking soon after each event! When Covid symptoms would have signaled the end for most people especially of her age, she soldiered on and all the family felt blessed to be able to spend time with her over the last two months of her life.

She will be incredibly missed by all her friends and family and is survived by her Brothers, Leo (Pat) and Deral (Linda), Bill and her sister Barb; husband, Jim Elliott; Children, Teresa (Dan), Colleen, Susan (Mike), Kelly, David (Ena), Daniel, Kitty, Megan (Ed), Michael, Molly, and Sean (Laura); Grandchildren, Matthew, Micah, Kali, Leeaura, Andrew, Dianne, Dylan, Liam, Logan, Airon, Ryan, Olivia, Emma and Henry(Brenda) , and Great grandchildren Gilbert, Gabriel, Laila, Aurora, Jordan and Isabella, Aaron, Mateo . She is preceded in death by her husband John, daughter Molly Jo, grandchild Jade and her sister Grace and her brother Albert. She has many nieces and nephews who loved her dearly. Elaine was laid to rest next to her husband John at a committal service at Holy Cross Cemetery on January 30, 2021. Memorial contributions are suggested to Catholic Charities of Eastern Washington.