Elaine Hunter

For those who knew Elaine Hunter one thing was easy to see – the way she adored her husband. Together, Elaine and Bob exemplified what a marriage is truly designed to be, creating a model of an enduring love, unconditional respect, and mutual admiration on which the generations who follow them can build their own foundations. Elaine was like a ray of sunshine in so many ways including her dry sense of humor, her love for life, and her tender heart. She realized that unlike the pursuit of material possessions and wealth, it is through loving others that we truly become rich.

In the midst of a vibrant and prosperous decade, 1926 was a year of great advancement and developments. It was during this year that the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) was established as the first nationwide broadcasting network, the first successful flight was taken over the North Pole, and the first woman, an American, swam the across the English Channel. This was a year for great celebration in the family of Herman and Mathilda (Snyder) Smith as they welcomed the birth of their daughter, Elaine, on February 13th. Elaine was born in Fowler, Michigan, above Snyder’s Meat Market as the oldest of seven children in her family. Her father worked as a carpenter and her mother was the organist at St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Johns for 35 years. Life was certainly active around the Smith home on Gibbs Street with such a large family.

Throughout the Great Depression of the thirties, life was difficult for countless American families and Elaine’s family was no different. Although times were tough, they were blessed to have everything they needed, and the lessons learned during this time would forever impact the woman Elaine became. She came to value the incredible worth of family as they were a close-knit group who created fun through the ordinary experiences of everyday life. Saturday mornings were always reserved for listening to “Let’s Pretend” on the radio followed by their allotted chores. The Smith children also played outside much of the time, and Elaine learned to be appreciative and particular about the things she did have. She was a very pretty girl with a serious demeanor who enjoyed singing as a young girl. In fact, the entire family sang and regularly gathered around the piano to sing, and they also sang as they did the dishes after dinner. Elaine attended St. Joseph Catholic School through the eighth grade where she was a good student. She continued on to Rodney B. High School in St. Johns where she not only was a good student, but led a very active social life and enjoyed chasing after the boys!

After graduating from high school, great changes were in store for Elaine. She went to work as a secretary at General Motors while WWII raged on overseas during the early forties. It was her personal life that grew quite exciting, however. While attending a dance one fateful evening, Elaine met the man who would forever hold the key to her heart. His name was Robert Hunter and they dated for a short time. They enjoyed driving around town and listening to big band music. Deeply in love, Elaine and Robert were married on June 14, 1947. Bob served his country in the Navy and once the war ended, he remained in the Navy where he served as a carrier pilot. As the United States became involved in the Korean Conflict during the beginning of the 1950s, Bob was called back to the Navy as an instructor.

Throughout Bob’s time in the service, their young family moved around a bit. They spent time in California and Texas before moving back to St. Johns where Bob built the home on Gibbs Street where they welcomed two children into their hearts and home, Michelle and Robert. Elaine fully immersed herself into her role as a mother, and she spent a lot of time at home alone while Bob was on the road working for Michigan Millers Mutual Insurance Company. She was actively involved in the lives of her children including as a Girl Scout leader. Elaine was a great cook who loved camping with her family. Camping was actually something the whole family enjoyed and when numerous precious memories were made. They had a homemade camper and their adventures took them to every state park throughout Michigan. On one camping trip, they took their camper to Copper Harbor where they watched the bears invade their camp at night! They later moved from Michigan to Charlottesville, Virginia, for Bob’s work.

Many of the things that Elaine enjoyed were mutual interests she shared with Bob as they were nearly inseparable. They liked square dancing, bowling, and playing golf. Later in life, Elaine loved wintering in Arizona, although they were always more than happy to return home to see the grandchildren who brought them great joy. They spent as much time as they could with Robby and MeAgan through the years.

Life became very difficult for Elaine with the death of her beloved Bob in 2004. She was devastated with his death and as a result, her own health began to decline. Elaine suffered with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) for several years, but was able to stay in her own home until she fell in her kitchen just one day before she drew her last breath.

Life will never be the same for those who knew and loved Elaine Hunter since she was an extraordinary woman with unmatched compassion, grace, and humility. She considered it pure joy to care for and love her family, and she viewed them as her greatest gift. Elaine was a woman of faith and a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church throughout much of her life. She enjoyed many things over the years, yet nothing made her happier than spending time with her family whether it was gathered around a campfire while her children were younger, dancing the night away with her husband, or sharing laughter with a grandchild. Elaine leaves behind a legacy rich in faith, kindness, and love for others that will surely withstand the test of time.

Elaine L. Hunter died March 23, 2010. Elaine’s family includes her daughter, Michele l. Hunter of Lexington, KY; son, Robert (Gerilynn) Hunter, Jr. of St. Johns; grandchildren, Robert Hunter III, and MeAgan Rachel Hunter sister, Carol Duguay of St. Johns; two sisters-in-law, Joan Smith and Mary Lou Smith; and two brothers-in-law, Jim Stump and Harry Joseph. Elaine was preceded in death by her husband Bob, her parents, two brothers, Clifford Smith and Cecil Smith, and three sisters, Alma Joseph, Carmen Stump and Marcia Bradley. Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11:00 a.m., Friday, March 26, 2010, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, burial at Mt. Rest Cemetery with Rev. Fr. Eoin Murphy officiating. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., with a rosary being prayed at 7 p.m. at the Osgood Funeral Home. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a favorite memory or photo, sign the online guestbook, or make a memorial contribution to The American Heart Association or The American Cancer Society.