Obituary of Elaine Vanacore

Elaine Iris Vanacore (nee Perrin) passed away peacefully surrounded by her family in Madison, NJ on Saturday, August 5, 2017. She was 87 years old. Elaine was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She was deeply loved and will be sorely missed by all who knew her.

Elaine was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. She and her beloved husband of 64 years, Joseph L. Vanacore, raised their seven children in Bloomfield, NJ and then North Caldwell. Joseph worked for the Port Authority of NY & NJ for over 30 years, retiring in 1992, and they moved to Morristown in 2006 and have lived there since. She was a woman of strong faith and the local Catholic Church was always a focal point of her life in her various communities.

Elaine earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Notre Dame College in Staten Island.  She cherished her years as a special education teacher in Parsippany and Little Falls. The role Elaine treasured most was matriarch of her large, loving family of seven children and twenty-two grandchildren and one great grandchild. Elaine was known for her endless energy, her compassion to family and friends, and her creativity.  Even when busy raising seven children, she found time to sew, knit, crochet, garden, and paint.  She loved books, discussing politics (as long as you were on her side), and spoiling her grandchildren and, of course, her adored cockapoo Molly.  It is impossible to count how many handmade items she lovingly made for every member of the family, including blankets, scarves, pillows, bedspreads, drapes, and even Halloween costumes.  In recent years, Elaine and her husband together made soft hats for women with breast cancer and pillows for children in hospitals. She and Joe were most gratified by doing things for others.

Elaine loved hosting family and friends for holidays and celebrations, and enjoyed nothing more than large family get-togethers. The memorable family reunions - weeks filled with sports, games, parties, and always much laughter – gave Elaine tremendous joy. Elaine also loved her home in Eastham, Cape Cod, where she and Joe spent countless family summers with their children and grandchildren.

She leaves behind her beloved husband of 64years, Joseph L. Vanacore of Morristown; one son, Mark Vanacore of Darien, CT (Tricia); six daughters, Carolyn Clark of Newton, MA (John), Nancy Stricklin of Wakefield, RI (Mike), Judy Christofferson of Greenville, DE (Randy), Jill Reid of Princeton (Richard), Suzanne Durney of Maplewood (Martin), and Beth Hurley of Madison; one sister, Roberta Canfield of Ringoes; and two sisters-in-law, Helen Perrin and Georgette Soriano. She was also blessed to be survived by 22 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She also leaves behind many nieces, nephews and close friends.

Elaine is preceded in death by her parents, the late Lawrence and Iris Perrin; her brother, Donald Perrin; her close cousin Carol Robertson; her son-in-law, Andrew Hurley; and brothers-in-law, Richard Canfield and Jack Soriano.

A Memorial Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00AM on Friday, August 25, 2017 at St. Vincent Martyr RC Church, Madison. The family will receive relatives and friends at the church at 10:00AM prior to the Funeral Mass. Interment will be held privately. Arrangements are under the direction of the Madison Memorial Home.