Elaine Alvarez

Elaine Alvarez, 92, of Valhalla, NY, passed away on March 2, 2025, surrounded by loving family.

Elaine was born December 17, 1932 in Providence, Rhode Island. She is the daughter of Harold G. and Florence C. Gilmore and sister to Marjorie (Ellwood) Brown. She grew up in a beautiful house built by her grandfather, in Providence, RI. She often spoke of the many cherished memories shared with close friends she had for 90 years from the neighborhood.

Elaine graduated from Mount Pleasant High School in Providence Rhode Island. She attended Rhode Island College later known as University of Rhode Island, earning a Bachelor of Science in Foods and Nutrition and Institutional Management. She was an active member of the Alpha Delta Pi Sorority. She has many fond memories of her time in college. In ADPi she held multiple officer positions and made many life-long friends.

Elaine was 15 when she met the love of her life, Ramon (Ray) Alvarez in a church youth group that Ramon first attended to spy on his younger sister. Interesting that they were later selected to play Mr. and Mrs. Wells in a youth group play. This on-stage couple made their romance official and married on April 2, 1955. Ray fell in love with her beauty, innocence and faith. Their strong love stood the test of separation while Ray was stationed in Germany during the Korean War for two years. Love letters flew back and forth on a daily basis to stay in touch. The loving couple was blessed with three children Paul (Laura) Alvarez, Douglas Alvarez, and Laura (Paul) Holzer; seven grandchildren - Damon (Mikaela) Alvarez, Amelia (Eric) Klock, Gregory (Alex) Alvarez, Christopher Alvarez, Matthew Holzer, Kevin Holzer and Lauren Holzer and three great grandchildren Ezra Klock, Athena Klock and soon-to-be great grandchild Alvarez. Elaine and Ray were so very fortunate to be able to celebrate 67 years of married life together until Ray passed away in June 2022.

While in college she enjoyed many summers working at Whispering Willows Camp in Cape Cod and also at the Seaside House in Old Orchard Beach, Maine. Elaine started her professional career at Narraganset Electric Company in Rhode Island as a Betty Bradford Home Economist. She later worked with three dear friends doing Luncheon is Served - introducing people to new foods out on the market. Later, she worked at Westchester Medical Center / Sarah Neuman Nursing Home / Lea Manor Nursing Home / New Sans Souci Nursing Home and Hawthorne Cedar Knolls all in Food Service Director roles. She wanted everyone to enjoy healthy delicious meals - always!!! After she retired, she volunteered for many years at the Ecumenical Food Pantry - Slater Center in White Plains, NY.

Elaine loved spending time with family and friends. She was a great cook and baker... no one could top her apple pie, pecan pie, cheesecake or Danish Puff. Ray would bring her baked goods down to church for bake sales and would show them the dessert and hand over cash to pay for it immediately - he would then bring it right home again so he could enjoy it!! She also enjoyed doing puzzles, going on walks, and was always ready to help anyone in need.

Elaine was an active member of the Valhalla United Methodist Church since 1971. Religion was the basis of her being and her family life. She served as a trustee to the church and ran the coffee hour for many years.

Visitation will be held Friday March 7, 2025 from 3:00-7:00PM at Ballard-Durand Funeral Home in Hawthorne, NY. Funeral services will be held March 8, 2025 at 11:00AM at Valhalla United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Ecumenical Food Pantry - Slater Center in White Plains, NY.