Elaine Isaacs

Elaine was born in Huron, South Dakota, the 3rd child of Ross and Mildred Baade. When Elaine was 2 the family moved to Prescott, Arizona where Elaine’s dad worked as a lineman. A short while later her dad went to work for Public Service Company of Colorado and the family moved to Alamosa. Elaine attended K-4th grade in Alamosa and then the family moved to Brush, Colorado in Northeastern Colorado. She attended 5th - 12th grades in Brush, graduating from Brush High School with the class of 1967 with many lifelong friends. Elaine participated in band (she played the saxophone and was a majorette), choir, school plays, Honor Society, thespians, and Future Teachers of America. As a senior she decided she would like to attend a Presbyterian College. She settled on the College of Emporia in Emporia Kansas. During her Freshman year she met, but did not start to date, her future husband, Tom Isaacs. They began dating her Sophomore year and were engaged in the spring of that year. Elaine’s parents agreed to the marriage as long as the couple would assure them that Elaine would complete her college education. They were married that summer and began married life in married student housing at Kansas State University where Tom began graduate work in Chemistry and Elaine declared a major in Speech Pathology. She earned her bachelor’s degree in 1971 and her Master’s in 1972. She worked throughout High School and College as a Nurse’s Aide in nursing homes. Her first professional job was with the Junction City Public Schools in Junction City, Kansas. This was followed by a job at the Easter Seal Center in Sherman, Texas where Tom had gone to work for Texas Instruments. Later the couple moved to Sugarland, Texas where Tom worked for TI Houston. The couple’s 3 children: Priscilla, Tim and Amanda were born while they lived in Sugarland. Elaine was fortunate to be a “Stay at Home” mom while the children were young. The family moved to Rio Rancho, New Mexico in 1983 where Tom had accepted a position with Intel. In 1985 new jobs were being found for both Tom and Elaine. Tom continued to work in the semiconductor industry while Elaine found work with Albuquerque Public Schools at Taylor Middle School. She spent 26.5 years as a speech therapist at Taylor, retiring in 2011. While she was successful at her job and enjoyed working with the students and staff her first love was always home and family. She attended all of the children’s activities and participated in booster clubs and other activities to support their interests. After the children had grown, gone to college and begun their own families, Elaine became more involved in her school work, church and of course the grandchildren, who she cherished her time with. Tom and Elaine were charter members of the Rio Rancho Presbyterian Church. Elaine has served as an Elder, a Deacon, has been a member of both an interim and regular PNC, with her latest work being as co-chair of the Capital Campaign to help with needed updates and improvements to the church building and facilities. She served on the worship committee and took great pleasure in knowing that the sanctuary was ready for worship services. She made or provided many of the paraments that are used in the worship services. She often provided floral arrangements to enhance the worship setting. She was proud of the work she was accomplishing with the Capital Campaign, knowing that they were making improvements to the building and grounds of the church her and Tom had helped to establish. She was excited about the new parking lot, and was asking for updates on it while in Rehab. Elaine was known for her kindness and her generous spirit. 

Elaine was a devoted wife and mother. She cared for everyone in her life, and throughout her children's life became "mom" to numerous friends of children, always treating anyone who walked into her life as family. She was a dedicated educator working as an SLP at Taylor Middle School with students that struggled with speech, language, and/or processing for 26.5 years. She was known for her love of flowers, and often gifted them to her coworkers at Halloween in little pumpkin buckets, or randomly dropping bouquets off to neighbors, friends and family. She was an avid reader and enjoyed sewing and crafting.

She was known not only for generous spirit, but also for her patience and gentle ways. She loved to spend time with her family and often hosted meals and get-togethers. She was a shining light and will be missed by all who knew her.