Elaine Susan Joe

My sister, Elaine had the remarkable ability to make everyone feel special with her smile, her kindness and her selflessness. She had a huge heart and was always willing to share whatever she had, even if it was something as small as a piece of chocolate, which was one of her favorite things and she always had in great supply.

Elaine had a beautiful, warm smile that attracted many people, including her husband, Ben. These past few weeks, I learned from her many friends and co-workers of how she touched their lives in small ways but left a huge impact. She was a friend to all who crossed her path and was always willing to give her time and attention, no matter how busy or hectic her day was.

As quite and shy as Elaine may have seemed, she had a great sense of humor, loved to laugh and play pranks on those close to her, mostly her husband Ben. She would always come up with the pranks but had our sister, Jeanie carry them out. Often times Ben would be the first to fall asleep and would wake up with a new makeover that included pink nail polish on his hands and feet or a face full of make-up.

Elaine loved make-up and would spend hours every morning perfecting herself before walking out the door, even to pick up the newspaper from her own driveway. That often meant the rest of us had to wait and never made it anywhere in a timely manner. Five years ago, Ben and Elaine visited me in Los Angeles. We had a trip planned to Disneyland and Ben and I wanted to leave early, so we could get Mickey Mouse waffles for breakfast. Elaine refused to leave before her make-up was perfect. Needless to say, Ben and I missed breakfast at Disneyland because Elaine was not ready until noon. And it wasn't only her make-up that Elaine wanted perfect. Elaine did our sister, Jeanie's make-up for her wedding and took so long perfecting it that Jeanie fell asleep. Her appearance was always flawless.

She had a green thumb and loved gardening. When she lived in Houston, she and our mom would spend hours in the garden planting roses, plumeria, Mexican birds of paradise and various other plants. She spent just as much time in her own garden at home. Every time I came to visit, she would show me the beautiful roses she planted. The last time we saw Elaine at Thanksgiving, she already had a box of bulbs that she wanted to plant for the Spring.

Elaine had a huge love of animals. She contributed to many dog charities and had three dogs of her own, Zoe, Harley and Abby, who she loved and spoiled to no end with clothes and treats. Every morning, Elaine would give her chihuahua Abby a bite of her butter rum muffin or Krispy Kreme donut for breakfast. Abby has a huge sweet tooth just like Elaine. Her love for animals went far beyond her own. When Ben and Elaine were dating, one Friday night she spotted a dog running around on a busy street in Houston. She insisted that Ben stop his truck, get out and rescue the dog so nothing would happen to him. Instead of going to the movies that night, they ended up finding the dog's owner and returning him. On another date night, Elaine and Ben found a stray that she brought home and spent hundreds of dollars trying to save. Her love of animals had no boundaries and she was always willing to do whatever it took to help one in need.

The outpouring of love from everyone in Elaine's life shows just how many people she touched. She had a special way of making everyone she came across feel welcome and special. We will always remember her smile, warmth and compassion.

Elaine, you're gone way too soon but you will always be loved and never forgotten.

Arrangements under the direction of Sunset North Funeral Home, San Antonio, TX.