Elaine F Coleman

Elaine F. Coleman nee Mavrick, age 74. Formerly of Richton Park, IL. Beloved wife of Daniel Coleman. Loving mother of Deno (Melissa O'Cheltree -) Ek and Paul (Laura) Ek. Cherished grandmother of Nicholas Ek, Michael Ek and Taylor Hees and Bradie Hamilton. Dear sister of Patricia (late Jerry) Kowalski and the late William (Nancy) Mavrick.

From Paul Ek

My mother enjoyed dancing and figure skating. She taught my brother and I how to ice skate. This eventually led us to enjoy the game of hockey. Besides, boys didn't figure skate, they played hockey. She skated for the Homewood-Flossmoor drill team for many years. She enjoyed individual competition, team competition and loved many of the ice shows that her drill team was involved in. In her younger years she was a dancer first. I have been told she danced at many locations across the country as well as Canada. She also loved Barry Manilow. If you knew my mother you knew she loved Mr. Manilow. I recall in my younger years her dancing around in the basement listening to Barry Manilow albums trying to get my brother and I to dance with her. She would tell us if you don't learn to dance with your mother you'll never dance with a lady when you grow up. That was fine with me! I recall dancing at that time, made me feel to self conscious. But then again, I was 6 or 7 years old, I think. She often would comment about Barry's hair and whoever was doing it should be fired, because after all she was a Beautician and could do a much better job. Later in life my mother enjoyed going to the Bristol Renaissance Fair. Many summers and numerous times in those summers, her and Dan were often there. Mom was also excited to be grandma. She enjoyed every moment with her grandchildren. She loved to brag about her grandchildren every chance she could. She loved listening to their stories about their day and then later, how they were doing in school. She loved to watch Sci-Fi shows and movies with them. She enjoyed making crochet blankets and hats for them when they were young.

From Dan

Elaine led a life filled with challenges and excitement. Starting as a competition Ball Room dancer as a teenager and performing with a dance troupe here in the U.S. and Canada. She was a Beautician and Hair dresser who at one time owned 2 hair salons of her own and went on to spend over 30 years making women look pretty. She was an Election Judge and Precinct Captain for the Democratic party for over 30 years helping to obtain the democratic vote. She enjoyed being a ISIA figure skater in both individual and adult drill team competition, winning many awards, ribbons, and medals. One of our favorite pastimes was going to the Bristol Renaissance Fair. We would attend this Fair every summer from 1986 until she became sick with cancer in 2014. We would go at least 2 to 6 times every summer, meeting friends and making new friends and even working behind the scenes to help educate other fairgoers. Her spiritual path was one of many accomplishments. From being a Tarot card reader, to astrologer of much repute. She was a Reiki master-teacher. She was a healer and counselor. A student and teacher of many disciplines. Elaine's proudest accomplishment was she became a High Priestess of the Wiccan temple of the Celtic way which she ran with her husband Dan for 32 years. Becoming an accomplished leader bringing numerous innovations and setting new standards for teaching, training, ethics, and leadership qualities never seen prior to her arrival. She also ran and coordinated the Aquarian Times Fair and was involved with the Covenant of the Goddess, an organization of group and coven leaders locally and nationally. She also was in charge of the South Suburban Pagan dinner for U.S. military veterans from 2004 to 2014. While doing all of this, she was a single mother raising 2 sons and working full time to support them. She was Mother, Daughter, Sister, Aunt, Grandmother, to family and wife, life partner, lover, teacher, student, confidante, best friend, companion, sunshine and reason for living to her husband Dan who feels that it was her that completed him. As a human being saying " I am a better person because of her". She was my perfect example of how to live, love, laugh, and enjoy life and living to embrace joy and help others. My wife Elaine exemplified what it means to be a giving, caring, loving, trusting, woman who has truly been a beacon of compassion with an iron fist in a velvet glove.

Her Loving Husband

Resting at the Tews-Ryan Funeral Home 18230 Dixie Highway in Homewood on Wednesday December 6, from 2 – 8 pm. Funeral Thursday 11 am at the Funeral Home. Private cremation to follow. For additional information contact 708-798-5300.