Elaine Louise Walker, passed away Sunday, January 30th, 2022, at home surrounded by her loved ones after 83 wonderful years of life.

Elaine was born March 3, 1938, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Louise and Ingval Paulson. She studied at the University of Minnesota, where she met and married the love of her life, James (Jim) Walker, who she was married to for 56 years until his passing in 2015.

Elaine will be lovingly missed by her children, Steve and his wife Jamie (Stein) of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and Anita Walker of Fort Collins, Colorado. She also leaves six grandchildren and one great grandchild, Maggie, Jessie, Meghan, Brandon, Alex, Tommy and Capri. She is preceded in death by her son Ted, and husband Jim.

She will be remembered for so many things, but most widely for her beautiful voice, and for her considerable talent as a dressmaker. She was a central figure in the Valley Light Opera (VLO) since 1980, where she has played many roles, including head of the costume crew, producer, chorus member and costume designer. At St. Bridget’s in Amherst, she was a long standing member of the choir. She cantored, and sang at weddings and funeral masses. Over the years she has sewn bridal gowns and dresses for many in the Amherst community, worked for the Hampshire College theater department helping students create costumes, and sang in the Newman Center Choir.

Elaine’s ability to bring people together was truly remarkable. Her selfless work in costuming, singing, and education united and strengthened the Amherst community as a whole, yet it’s the small warm moments with Elaine that are most cherished by those who knew her – from something as simple as her turkey casseroles, always so eagerly anticipated at family gatherings, to her encouraging and patient smiles teaching her grandchildren to sew for the first time. Elaine’s caring empathy has left a profound impact on her friends, family, and Amherst community. It is that love and empathy which now lives on in all whose lives she touched.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation at www.myotonic.org/donate, or the Valley Light Opera at www.VLO.org.