Elaine Marie Strong
Elaine Marie Strong, age 94, of Mentor, and formerly of Chardon, passed away on Sept. 23, 2023, attended by her son, Gary Strong, and the kind and compassionate Cypress Hospice and Tapestry Wickliffe Senior Living caregivers.
Elaine was born Sept. 20, 1929, at Corey Hospital in Chardon, to Evelyn and Roy Rice. She attended Chardon High School, and met her husband Howard D. Strong, also a Chardon resident, while working together at the old Junction Restaurant.
Howard and Elaine were married June 11, 1949. Her beloved husband, Howard, preceded her in death in April 1989.
Elaine grew up in Chardon and enjoyed spending time on family farms with her numerous cousins. She enjoyed family card games, bowling and collecting lighthouse-themed arts and crafts, including her own paintings of favorite lighthouses.
Elaine and Howard spent many joyful years boating on Lake Erie in their Bayliner, fishing for walleye, picnicking and waterskiing with the family.
She spent her adult years working in local convenience stores in Chardon and Mentor as a cashier, and concluded her years of customer service at age 87 in the Super Kmart deli in Mentor. Her loyal deli customers were known to line up to wait for Elaine’s excellent customer care. When the Super Kmart closed its doors, Elaine reluctantly retired.
Elaine is survived by her three children, Gary, Gayle and Gregg (Debbie) Strong; three grandchildren, Kevin (Rebecca) Kersting, Lindsay (Andrew) Berry and Ryan (Molly) Strong; and six great-grandchildren, Nika, Brady and Wylie Kersting, Bebe and Nash Berry, and Charlie Strong.
She also is survived by her younger brother, Tom Rice.
Her siblings Robert Rice and Betty Rice predeceased her.
Elaine will be remembered by her family and friends for her independence and strong will, admirable work ethic and unconditional love, caring and devotion to her family members, including her adult children’s spouses, her grandkids and great-grandkiddos — always remembering to send one of her thoughtful birthday cards with special notes each and every year.
Elaine embraced new technology and was an avid iPhone and iPad user, texting friends and family, sending and receiving photos, reading books and playing her paint-by-number screens until shortly before her passing. Her constant presence in our lives will be missed.
The family will receive friends from 10-11 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. Funeral services will begin at 11 a.m. at Burr Funeral Home, 116 South St., Chardon, followed by the burial at Chardon Municipal Cemetery.
Arrangements made by Burr Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Chardon. Information and condolences online at www.burrservice.com.
