IN MEMORIAM: Elaine Beck Schaeffer, 62;
Formerly With Interior Design Firm In NYC
COOPERSTOWN – Elaine Beck Schaeffer of Cooperstown passed away suddenly at Bassett Hospital on Thursday evening, Oct. 8, 2015. She was 62. The funeral service is Thursday.
Elaine was the loving wife of Charles and beloved mother of Scott and Elyssa. Born in Philadelphia, she was the daughter of Kenneth and Phyllis Beck.
Elaine spent her early formative years with her family in Nice, France. She was educated at Abington Friends, a Quaker school in Pennsylvania, from which she cultivated a lifelong respect for individuals and emphasis on equality, simplicity and integrity. During high school she spent a year abroad in Braunschweig, West Germany.
Elaine attended Wagner College, graduating with a B.A. in German literature. She spent her junior year studying in Bregenz, Austria, where, among other interests, she took up skiing in the Alps.
After college, Elaine worked for the interior fabric and design firm Brunschwig & Fils in New York City as the production coordinator, during which she traveled to and worked with mills and showrooms throughout Europe and the U.S.
Elaine was dedicated to the arts from a young age, studying piano and singing with a religious choir, including on European tours. She studied drawing at the Arts Students League in New York City and maintained a passion for exploring art museums in the U.S. and while traveling in Europe for work and visiting her children during their own study abroad sojourns.
Elaine loved cooking and excelled at baking her famous carrot cake and unparalleled apple pie. Her smile would light up a room and could clear dark clouds from a rainy day. She volunteered for years at the Susquehanna Animal Shelter Better Exchange Thrift Shop and most recently worked for NYSHA at The Fenimore Art and Farmers’ Museums in Cooperstown.
Elaine enjoyed any opportunity to work on her gardening, spend time with her friends, cats and now departed chessie, Tessa, and work on crossword puzzles (always written in ink pen, never pencil) among many other activities.
A closet historian and member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Elaine was also a member of the Captain Cook Society and enjoyed reading about the adventures and discoveries of her ancestor James Cook, among other explorers.
A caring and dedicated mother and wife, Elaine was very loved and will be missed more than words can convey.
In addition to her husband and children, Elaine is survived by extended family members and friends who will miss her dearly.
Friends and relatives are invited to Elaine’s memorial service at 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home. A private burial service will be Friday.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations in Elaine’s name be made to the Susquehanna Animal Shelter, 4841 State Highway 28, Cooperstown, NY 13326. http://susquehannaanimalshelter.org.