Elaine Ann Willis

Elaine Willis was born on March 30 ,1932, raised in Los Angeles, California and passed away peacefully on September 3, 2024 at The Gardens, Episcopal Homes, surrounded by love and family at the age of 92.

Elaine married her high school sweetheart, Robert Willis in 1950 and they settled in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1962. They shared a lifetime of love, laughter, and adventure and were blessed with a family that brought them immense joy. She will be dearly missed by her children: Kate (Jeanette), Mark (Charolette), Paul (Jeanne), David (Penny), and her grandchildren: Vanessa (Steve), Sarah (Austin), and Connor (Christina). Elaine was a longtime member of Macalester Plymouth Church and was very involved in her community. She was very giving of her time and energy to many social justice causes. She found joy in the arts and music and enjoyed attending many St Paul Chamber Orchestra concerts.

She had a passion for travel and exploring new places, Lake Superior's North Shore being one of her favorite destinations, creating lasting memories for her family.

Her love for all creatures great and small, especially cats, was well known. Her compassion for them was one of the many ways she showed her caring spirit. In fact she may be slightly infamous in her old neighborhood for encouraging a good sized flock of pigeons to expect to be fed on a daily basis, and while a resident at Episcopal Homes, she became known as the “duck Lady” for taking on the feeding of the neighborhood ducks until the pond was removed to make way for the new building. More than anything, she was the steady thread that wove our family together, connecting us all with her love and support . Her home was the heart of every holiday celebration, where her warmth and presence drew family and friends together.

Preceded in death by her parents J. Arthur and Claire, her beloved husband Robert, and grand daughter Leslie, she leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness, and devotion.

Elaine's family invites donations to your favorite animal welfare charity in her memory