Elaine Todd Obituary

Elaine Todd, longtime resident of Colorado Springs, beloved mother and grandmother died August 16, 2014, in Colorado Springs Colorado. She was born in Detroit, Michigan, September 30, 1926 to the late Raphael and M. Viola Rainey (Stieff).

Elaine graduated from Sacred Heart High School, Dearborn, Michigan in 1945. After graduation she worked in secretarial and retail positions in Detroit. In 1950, she married the love of her life, Jack Todd. For most of their marriage, Elaine was a proud and devoted military wife. She bravely held the family together while Jack served in Korea and Vietnam and moved to several military bases in the U.S. and Germany throughout his military career. During these years she embraced living in different places and making many diverse friends.

Living in Colorado Springs since 1964, Elaine cherished her role of being a mom to her four daughters and enjoyed all of their accomplishments. She worked in retail and real estate when her daughters were older. She was a founding parishioner of Holy Apostles Catholic Church and volunteered with Catholic Charities. Her Catholic faith provided strength, peace and courage through all the seasons of her life. She and Jack moved to Ridgefield, WA in 2001 before Elaine returned to Colorado Springs after Jack's death in 2006.

Elaine will be remembered for her feisty personality and her quick wit. Elaine loved music especially Jazz, R&B, Soul, Hip Hop and anything that had a beat to which she could dance. She had panache with interior decorating and home improvement projects keeping up with all the latest trends and exercising her creative flair. Always the fervent "night owl," Elaine would stay up late gazing at the night sky, making sure everyone arrived home safely before she'd go to bed.

Elaine is survived by four daughters, Susan Todd of Eugene Oregon; Kathleen Todd of Vancouver, Washington; Julianne Grabert of Colorado Springs and Kelly Maul of Ridgefield, Washington; eleven grandchildren and three great- grandchildren. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her brother Raphael J. Rainey.

Having survived polio and subsequently enduring many surgeries and hospitalizations as a young child, Elaine asked that memorial contributions be made to:

St. Jude Children's Hospital

Tribute # 36492187

P.O. Box 1000

Department 142

Memphis, TN 38148

800-822-6344 or stjude.org Please indicate Tribute # with donation

A Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, August 29th, 8:00 a.m. at Holy Apostles Catholic Church, 4925 N. Carefree Circle, Colorado Springs, CO.