ELAINE L. SKEETE

Elaine Louise Patrick was born to loving parents Marie Louise and Michael Patrick on May 3, 1936, at Harlem Hospital, in New York City. She was the second of four beloved daughters, Grace, Michaelyn, and Patricia; who would all wave handkerchiefs at their father as he passed by their apartment while working for New York Central Railroad as a Pullman Porter.

Elaine graduated from William Howard Taft High School in the Bronx, New York. She was active in the orchestra, playing the cello, and served as Class Secretary. Her Senior Yearbook described her as “Quick with a pencil at times, and a wizard with rhymes.” Her humor never faded and her wit was sharp. Smiles and laughter permeated any room in which she was present.

As a native New Yorker, Elaine lived in Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Queens. Due to her husband’s employment, the family, then just consisting of Olga, Harold, and Roderick, traveled and lived in Kansas City, Kansas, Kansas City, Missouri, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Tulsa, Oklahoma.

In the late 1960s, as a devout follower of Christ, Elaine, with a few other members, founded Jamaica Church of Christ; currently Hollis Community Christian Center. As a Sunday School Teacher, whether through Vacation Bible School or Christian Summer Camp in the Catskills, Elaine played a pivotal role in instilling God's love to many young people. For many years she also served as the leader of her Women’s Group and assisted with the church pantry. She often blessed church services with her harmonious poetry and occasionally played the piano.

Elaine spent many years as a Homemaker and provided a joyous atmosphere for her children. In the late 50s she secured a job as a Bank Teller. In 1979 she secured a position that she loved, a Directory Services Operator with New York Telephone Company; providing answers for thousands of New Yorkers. She retired from the phone company, currently known as Verizon, in 1997. Even in her latter years she could still recall the addresses of many locations throughout NYC. Not slowing down after retirement, Elaine joined her youngest daughter with running a daycare center and raising many children in the neighborhood.

Although her love will never end, Elaine passed from this life on August 7, 2025. She leaves to mourn one sister, Michaelyn; five children, Olga, Harold, Roderick, Lisa, and Cliff; ten grandchildren, Sheniqua, Lavon, Tamika, Alysia, Ricole, Anthony, Richard, Lance, Dylin, and Devin; ten great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law; Maritza; one goddaughter, Crystal. She was preceded in death by one grandchild, Farrad.  Also mourning her journey home are her nieces, Marie and Julie as well as her nephews, Michael, Raphael, and Alberto, a host of loving relatives, her church Brothers and Sisters-in-Christ, many close friends, and all those who were touched by her unrelenting love. We Love You!

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