M. Elaine Fleming, 85, of Brewster formerly of Worcester died peacefully, Tuesday morning, November 4, 2014 in Epoch of Brewster Nursing Care Facility following a prolonged illness. Born in Uxbridge, the daughter of William and Edwidge Cook. She was a graduate of Uxbridge High School Class of 1946. Her education continued at Clark University receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Education in 1950. She married the late James S. Fleming in 1951 and moved to Worcester where she raised her 5 children: Mary Elaine Fleming of Hollywood, FL, James S. Fleming, III and his wife, Mehtap of Paxton, Jane Lowey and her husband, Kevin of Brewster, Barbara Morton of Leicester, Maura Simpson and her husband, Neal of Leicester. She also leaves eight grandchildren, Derek Morton, James Fleming IV, Sean Morton, Heather Simpson, Greg Fleming, Jacob Lowey, William Fleming and Alexis Babineau; and a great grandchild, Ariana Levitan of Worcester.
Elaine was an elementary school teacher for many years, starting her career in West Yarmouth, traveling to Germany with her husband teaching Elementary School for the U.S. Military and was the first lay teacher at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic School in Worcester. After raising her children she returned to the workforce serving the American Lung Association and the Office of AIDS Ministry. Elaine was a devoted member and spiritual mentor at St. John’s Church. Her passion was her prison ministry for 20 years at the Worcester County Jail and House of Corrections supporting inmates and their families on their spiritual journey through teaching, retreats and music. Elaine also belonged to Renewal Ministries participating in Missionary trips to Canada, Slovenia, Hungary, Romania, Transylvania, Latvia, Czech Republic and Northern Ireland. She loved the outdoors, camping, mountains, moosing, singing and playing the Autoharp and being and working with other cultures. She shared this love of nature with her grandchildren.
Her funeral is Saturday, November 8th from O’CONNOR BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 592 Park Avenue with a Mass at 10:00 AM in St. John’s Church, 44 Temple Street, Worcester. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Uxbridge. Calling hours are Friday, November 7th from 4:00 until 7:00 PM in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s Church Food for the Poor, 44 Temple Street, Worcester, MA 01604. To leave a special message or memory for the family in Elaine’s online condolence book go to oconnorbrothers.com