On October 12, 2023, Elaine (Holland) Bailey passed away peacefully, surrounded by her children and grandchildren. She was 91.
Born in Arlington, MA, Elaine was the third of six children, all girls. She married James “Jim” Bailey in 1954 and lived in Medford, MA for over 50 years raising their three children, working as a labor & delivery room nurse, and sharing joy and love with the family and friends she cherished. Elaine spent her last 15 years in Arizona and Colorado where her children had settled.
Like her sisters, Elaine had an adventurous spirit and can do attitude. She worked alongside her future husband, his brothers and his father to build the home she lived in for 50 years. She and Jim explored the world by car, plane and cruise ship. She loved vacations in New England and visiting family in Washington, D.C., Florida and the beautiful southwest. When Elaine was 40, she enrolled in nursing school to fulfill her lifelong dream of being a nurse. She spent 20 years working in a field she loved, bringing babies into the world. She counted her fellow nurses among her closest friends.
Elaine was happiest when surrounded by family and friends, often hosting holiday dinners, backyard barbeques and parties to celebrate special occasions. She was always there for the people she loved in their happiest times as well as their most challenging times.
Elaine was predeceased by her husband Jim Bailey (1996); her five sisters and their husbands, Virginia Kyle (Frank), Jean Barbere (Tony), Jackie Fougere (Don), Lois Crowley (Jack), and Ann LaFrance (David); and Jim’s siblings, Phil Bailey (Betty), Andy Bailey (Phyllis), Mary Hussey (Bernie), John Bailey (Margie), and Teresa McManus (Bill).
She is survived by her children, Linda Bailey, Ann Wilcox (Munro) and Jimmy Bailey; grandchildren, Hannah Wilcox, Perrin Swoveland-Bailey (Alex Adams), Kali Wilcox, and Shaelyn Bailey; over 40 loving nieces and nephews along with their children and grandchildren; and many dear friends.
Relatives & friends are invited to attend her Funeral Mass celebrated at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 441 Fellsway West, Medford on Friday June 21st at 10 AM followed by interment in Oak Grove Cemetery in Medford.
Please omit flowers. Donations in her memory may be made to the Franciscan Renewal Center, 5802 East Lincoln Drive, Scottsdale, Arizona, 85353 (www.thecasa.org) or to Catholic Charities, 275 West Broadway, Boston, MA 02127 (www.ccab.org).