Elaine Rae Gridley, 91, passed into heaven on June 16, 2026 in her home at Ativo Senior Living, Yuma, AZ. She was born March 20, 1935 in Hamburg, NY to the late Gordon and Laura Hartloff.

She was predeceased by her husband of almost 67 years, Robert Erwin Gridley and her brother Dean Elton Hartloff of Pikesville, MD.

Elaine is survived by her five children: Brian (Julie) Gridley, Middlefield, OH; Diane (Larry) Kalas, Yuma, AZ; Bobbie (Jim) Moeller, Seymour, IN; Russell (Kathryn) Gridley, Lee's Summit, MO; Laura (Randy) Straub, Staunton, IL; 16 grandchildren , 37 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.

Elaine grew up and was married right out of High School in Hamburg, NY. As a young Army wife she soon became a Mom.  She encouraged her husband, Bob, through college, Seminary and then as a pastor's wife while raising their 5 small children.

Elaine's priority, besides her faith, has always been her family. She made sure everyone learned to clean, bake, sort laundry, take care of pets, do outside and inside chores and manage money. But she taught so much more about life, faith in God, music, nature, creating ones own fun, seeing the beauty all around us, caring and giving to others, and learning to adapt in a variety of circumstances, not only to her children but to her grandchildren as well.

In the course of her long life, Elaine has moved at least 17 times, 12 of which included helping her kids adjust to new cultures, new schools, losing old friends and making new ones, all while she was going through  the same changes, but always with a song on her lips, for she loved music.

She demonstrated care for others by sharing her home with various foster children, learning sign language to teach deaf children as a teacher's aide and, taking her mother into their motor home. She provided a loving example of how to care for someone with dementia as they hopscotched across the country visiting family. When they could no longer travel they settled in the warm of Yuma, AZ where Elaine became the caregiver for Bob for 20 years.

When Bob's health required a move to an assisted living, Elaine would frequently comment, "I never thought I would be able to retire." Once her responsibilities lessened she was able to do some of the things she had always wanted to like read, watch the birds, do puzzles, and especially, paint.

She will be remembered as an intelligent, strong, and artistic lady. Elaine was not loud, but her life spoke loudly of her kind character as well as love for her family and her God.

Memorial and interment are private. As a remembrance: please feed the hungry, sing a song, plant a tree, or feed the birds.