Elaine Dorgan

She was born in Dallas, Texas on July 16, 1938, as the eighth of nine children to her father Sydney H. Graf, and mother Velma (Hodges) Graf. Elaine was married on February 13th, 1963 to Tracy ‘Ted’ Dorgan, in Dallas, Texas. After getting married, they moved to Houston where their daughter, Laura was born and her husband worked with NASA. Later moving to Ft. Walton Beach, FL, where their son Tracy was born. Seeking experiences and with a passion for life, they moved to Madagascar in 1969 with their young family. Returning to Texas for a brief period, they then moved to Nashua in 1972, where they made their home to the present day.

Elaine is a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend who proudly served her community in various roles as a Nashua Police Department Matron and crossing guard for the Birch Hill Elementary School for more than a decade. Elaine was known to many as a Nashua Ward 1 Selectman from 2000 - 2017 and a poll worker for even longer. Elaine began a new career as a realtor later in life through her retirement, but her most significant success, however, was being a wife, mother, and grandmother who taught her values and kindness — living by her example.

Put simply, Elaine was and always will be remembered as an extraordinary woman, who experienced history first-hand and was always ready for an adventure. Elaine saw, lived, and optimistically embraced all that life offered with grace, humor, and humility. Some of her fondest memories were created with her dear friends and family in her home state of Texas — where she never forgot her roots, in Downeast Maine where she spent many summers, in Madagascar, and her longtime home in Nashua. She easily made friends and brought people together with laughter, games, and generosity. She attracted new, loving friends everywhere she went with her openness and outgoing kindness including the caring staff who helped Elaine and her entire family at hospice in her final weeks.

Elaine enjoyed volunteering and making friends in the community, including working with the Boys and Girls Club in Nashua for over two decades, Meals on Wheels, and more. She loved card games, dominoes, and never went to bingo without her lucky elephant statues with their trunks up and photos of her grandkids — Bingo was part of her social network where everlasting friendships were made. She loved animals, especially dogs, and enjoyed sitting on the porch in Maine watching the hummingbirds fly around her.

Elaine is survived by her husband Tracy ‘Ted’ Dorgan, with whom she shared an everlasting love of over 60 years. Daughter Laura (Mark) Swauger, son Tracy ‘T.D. or T’ (Heather) Dorgan, grandchildren Benjamin and Erin Swauger and Acadia Dorgan, and sisters Jean Oney, Silver Poteete, and Kathryn Garcia as well as many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents and brothers Roger, John, Earnest, Houston, and Dan.

Per Elaine’s request, a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, Elaine has requested donations be sent to the Community Hospice House of Merrimack, NH www.hhhc.org/how-to-help/memorial-gifts or memorial donations in her name be mailed to the Community Hospice House at 210 Naticook Rd, Merrimack, NH 03054.