Elaine I. (Norton) Holt

Elaine Irene Holt, 87, passed away July 6, 2022, peacefully in her home. A visitation in her honor will be held at Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Drive, Charleston on Wednesday, July 13, 2022, from 5:00 to 6:30 PM. Funeral Services will be held on July 14, 2022, at 11:00 AM at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 921 Madison Avenue, Charleston. Burial will follow in the Roselawn Cemetery.

Elaine was born March 17, 1935, in Springfield, Massachusetts to William James Norton and Cornelia Mary Norton.  She grew up in Springfield with her younger brother Arthur Francis Norton. When she was 12 years old Elaine got her first job taking care of pedigree Afghan Hound show dogs. 

Elaine graduated from Cathedral High School in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1953.  While working at Bogey Beverage, a distributor for Budweiser beer, she appeared in a Budweiser commercial featuring the Budweiser Clydesdale horses.  

Elaine met her future husband, George LeRoy Holt, on a blind date when he was stationed at Sampson Air Force Base in New York. They married May 19, 1956, and moved to LeRoy’s hometown of Greenup, Illinois where they lived for eight years before moving to Charleston. Elaine and LeRoy raised three children together. 

Elaine was a stay-at-home mom for many years. She served as a room mom for her children’s schools and as an assistant Girl Scout leader for 12 years. When her children were older, Elaine took a job as Director of the E.I.U. Peace Meal program where she worked for 23 years. She was inducted into Senior Illinoisans Hall of Fame for her service. 

In her retirement, Elaine enjoyed keeping busy and staying active.  In her garden she grew beautiful flowers, the tastiest tomatoes, and even enjoyed pulling weeds.  She also enjoyed volunteering at the library, solving Sudoku Puzzles, reading, and spending time in the water, whether poolside or oceanside.  When she wasn’t reading, she liked to watch Jeopardy and NCIS, and relished her time eating McDonald’s french fries.  She would play cards with friends as she was a member of several card groups. She was known for and had a love for silly printed socks and was often asked which pair she was wearing. She loved traveling with her family and was happiest when her home was full of family, friends, and laughter. 

Elaine was an angel on Earth.  She was kind, generous, spiritual, and the sweetest lady you would have the pleasure to meet.  She was a devoted Catholic and member of St. Charles Borromeo Church in Charleston. She knew that everything was in the Lord’s hands and that the Lord had a plan for her.  She lived His plan as a devoted wife to LeRoy for 31 years until his death on May 15, 1987.  She was a loving mother to her three children, seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.  

Elaine will be missed by her children: George William “Bill” Holt of Charleston, IL, Patricia Ann “Patty” Longman of Charleston, IL, and Kevin Lee (Connie) Holt of Waukegan, IL. Also missing her will be her grandchildren: Nicole Holt, Andrew Longman, Sean (Jamie) Longman, Ryan Longman, Chauncey Longman, Christina Holt, and Catherine Holt, her great-grandchildren: Addie, Cory, and Chloe, and her chihuahua, Punkin. Her children know that their mom will be watching over them, guiding them, protecting them, and laughing at and with them. Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, and her husband. She will be laid to rest next to her husband in Roselawn Cemetery, Charleston.

Memorials in her honor may be made to Adams Funeral Chapel and left at the visitation/service or mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Drive, Charleston, IL  61920.

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