Obituary of Elaine J. Mead

Elaine J. Mead, 80, of Cty. Rte. 21, Addison, NY, passed away on Friday, November 24, 2023 at Corning Hospital. Elaine was born in Corning on June 18, 1943, the daughter of Grey and Lillian Taylor Farrand. Raised in Rathbone, Elaine was a 1961 graduate of Addison Central School. On May 5, 1961, Elaine married William K. Cole. Billy preceded her in death on Sept. 19, 1980. Elaine later married Kenneth Mead on October 31, 1997 who died on June 21, 2007. Becoming a very young widow, Elaine was tasked with raising their four children on her own. She entered the workforce with jobs at Corning Glass Works, Millbrook Bread and RF Reynolds Cheese Factory on Woodhull. She eventually began employment with Community National Bank. After leaving Community National Bank, she provided clerical assistance at the Elmira Business Institute before eventually starting a 15 year career with Arnot Ogden Hospital in Elmira where she worked as a clerical support member in the surgical department. She attended Corning Community College during this time and earned an Associates Degree in accounting. Elaine was a charter member of the Addison Eagles Aerie Auxiliary. She served as an officer at both local and Grand Auxiliary levels. She was Past Madam President of the Addison Auxiliary and served for several years as New York State treasurer for the Grand Auxiliary. She served her Rathbone community on the election board and had been an assistant to the town assessor. She also volunteered with the Southern Tier Food Bank as a facilitator at the monthly Rathbone food distribution. Elaine was a talented seamstress and enjoyed landscape gardening. She took great pride in her African violets, Christmas cactus and orchids. She was the epitome of a true lady. She was proud of her family and served as a strong, independent role model, for them, particularly the ladies. She was an honorable person, accepting of others, always striving to do what was proper and having a sense of duty to contribute as well as possible. Elaine is survived by her children, Clay Cole of Springtown, TX, Cameron (Christine) Cole of Addison, Chad (Lynn) Cole of Addison and Desiree Cole (Bob Orr) of Wellsburg, 13 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and 1 great-great granddaughter, her brothers, Milton (Mae) Farrand, Greyson (Arlene) Farrand and George (Terri) Farrand, all of Woodhull, her sister-in-law, Cheryl Farrand of Horseheads and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides her husbands, Elaine was predeceased by her parents, her brother, Vernon Farrand, her infant granddaughter, Jacqueline Cole and her daughter-in-law, Valerie Cole. Friends may call on Friday, December 1 from 6 to 8 pm at the H.P. Smith & Son Funeral Home, 1607 Main St. Woodhull, NY. Visitation will be held again on Saturday from noon to 2 pm at the funeral home with funeral services following there at 2 pm with Rev. Mort Gridley officiating. Burial will be made in Woodhull Cemetery. Memorial donations are suggested for either the Food Bank of the Southern Tier or the Addison Eagles Aerie.