Elaine Frances (Milner) Keller, of Danvers, passed away on July 1st at North Shore Medical Center in Salem, MA. She had celebrated her 80th birthday on June 26. Elaine was born in Salem to the late George and Helen (Alderson) Milner and grew up in Danvers. She graduated from Holten High School (the precursor to Danvers High School) in 1954. She then attended Massachusetts College of Art and Design from which she graduated with a bachelor of fine arts degree. For the last 23 years of her work life, Elaine was a recreational therapist for the Department of Mental Health, first at the now-defunct Danvers State Hospital and then at Tewksbury Hospital. As a "rec therapist," Elaine helped the patients learn to manage their spare time so they could continue to recover when they were released from the hospital. She also led the patients in fun activities that enriched their lives during their stay: crafts, sing-alongs, discussion groups, barbecues and more. Before working for the DMH, Elaine was a school bus driver on the North Shore, a clerk for the Internal Revenue Service, a layout artist for a graphic design firm and a nurse's aide at Danvers State Hospital. Elaine lived most of her life in Danvers, but spent several years in the early 1960s living in southern California. She also lived in Boston and in Salem before moving back to Danvers in 1996. The fine arts were always a part of Elaine's life. She was a frequent visitor to art museums and galleries and also loved to draw and paint, at one point taking Master's-level painting classes at MassArt. Travel also captured Elaine's imagination. She was thrilled to go on trips to Mexico, Wyoming, Washington DC, England, France, Italy and northern California as well as multiple trips to New York City. Elaine was very fond of animals and demonstrated her commitment to them by becoming a vegetarian at age 40, well before vegetarianism came into fashion.
She leaves behind her beloved "tuxedo" cat Pixie. Besides Pixie, Elaine is survived by her daughter, Tracy Keller of Danvers, her sister, Nancy Webster of Clinton, CT, many first, second and third cousins and many friends. Besides her parents, Elaine was pre-deceased by her brother, Glenn Milner, and her brother-in-law, William "Bill" Webster.
A funeral service celebrating Elaine's life will be held on Thursday, July 21 at The Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal Street (corner of North St.), Salem, MA, at 11 AM. For additional information or online guestbook please visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com or call 978-744-0497.