Elaine Isabelle Wilfong

Obituary Elaine Wilfong : 8/15/1941 - 6/6/2011 Elaine Wilfong was a woman of strength, fortitude, talent and creativity, with a capacity to love and share her love not only with her family and friends, but with her community in which she lived. Elaine's accomplishments in life were many. She had practically traveled the world as she has marched hand in hand with the women of Marrakech, in support of Morrocan women's rights, she climbed Mt. Rainier, she fell in love with Buenos Aires and crawled on her hands and knees through the pyramids of Egypt just to name a few. Elaine saw more than most, she loved, and has been loved more than most. Her dedication to the upbringing of her sons, and the time and love she has showered upon her granddaughter, her friends and her family, speak for the type of loyal, family oriented woman she was. Along with friends, family and travel being important in Elaine's life, so was her love for gardening. Her garden boasted over 40 different varieties of lovingly tended flowers! Her love for gardening, cooking, knitting and sewing were all things she unselfishly and lovingly shared with those around her, but all of these loves paled deeply in comparison to her love of and devotion to raising her family. The center of Elaine's life was her sons and her granddaughter. She worked tirelessly to ensure that both Jeff and Scott had the skills and opportunity to grow into the kind of men she hoped they would be. At the end of her life as throughout it, Elaine saw firsthand just what kind of men she had raised as they were both at her side. Her fierce devotion to her sons was and remains a defining characteristic of her life. Those who knew Elaine also understood the deep love she had for her only granddaughter Alex. Elaine, fondly known as "Nonna", was the most creative, energetic and dedicated grandmother a child could be so lucky to have. Nonna will always be remembered by Alex as a courageous, strong adventurer, who took her places not many have been. Their adventures were many, from hiking in the woods, exploring Dash Point Beach, to hopping on a plane and visiting the North Pole. The thing Elaine did the best, was the time she spent creating, loving and caring for Alex. Together they logged hours scouring the local library for books, sitting quietly knitting and sewing together, and most importantly, they spent a lot of time just sitting together on the couch being with one another, enjoying the love and companionship that flourishes when a love as pure as a grandmother's is shared. Alex was the highlight of Nonna's life, and she has no doubt left a legacy of love, creativity, strength and wisdom. Elaine's loss to her community will be tremendous. Whether teaching children to read at The Center at Norpoint, supporting friends in need, volunteering at Julia's Gulch or simply picking up trash at Dash Point State Park, she moved through her community with a generosity of spirit that was truly something to behold. The Browns Point/Dash Point community enjoyed a loyal advocate in Elaine, and will be hard pressed to find another who cared so deeply about her friends and the health of her community. As she passes, Elaine is survived by her sons Scott Wilfong of Kirkland, WA and Jeff Wilfong of Encinitas, CA, granddaughter Alex Wilfong of Bellevue, WA, and brother Sandy Forman of Vancouver, BC. Elaine is and will remain forever and deeply missed by all who love her. And of those, there are a great many. A memorial service will be held at Marine View Presbyterian on 1pm Saturday 8469 Eastside Dr. NE, Tacoma WA 98422. Afterwards there will be a celebration of life party at her home 6228 Agnes Rd. NE Tacoma 98422. Contributions can be made to "Elaine Wilfong Memorial Bench" and sent to her home address. We plan on putting a bench in the community in memory of her.