Elaine R. Boyle – 75 – of Auburn, AL, formerly of Hornell, died Saturday morning (September 6, 2014) at the Bethany House in Auburn, AL, following a brief illness.

Born in Hornell on February 9, 1939, she was the daughter of Orian & Clara (Kelley) Sherman.

Elaine grew up in Hornell and was a graduate of Hornell High School (class of 1957).  During her high school years, she began working at St. James Mercy Hospital in the cafeteria. She continued working in the cafeteria for several years after high school and eventually married and took time off from work to raise her family.  Many years later, she began working at the former Bethesda Community Hospital in the housekeeping department.  A few years later, Elaine returned to St. James and began working in the laundry department.  She retired about 10 years ago from the housekeeping department following 30 years of service.  She was a past recipient of the St. James Employee of the Year Award.

Following her retirement, Elaine moved to Auburn, AL where she has resided for the past 10 years.  While in Hornell, she was a member of St. Ann’s Church where, for several years, was active in the St. Ann’s Festival.  She had been a member of the Hornell Moose Lodge and enjoyed playing drums in the “Pots & Pans Kitchen Band”.  She was also a former member of the Civil Air Patrol and an avid Buffalo Bills & Auburn Tigers Football fan.

While living in Alabama, she was active in the Relay For Life, a member of the Silver Sneakers Group, a founding member of the Re-Cycled Teenager Group and was a Gold Medal winner of the Masters Games (Olympics for Senior Citizens).

Elaine was preceded in death by her daughter, Debra Boyle and also her former husband, Robert Boyle.

Surviving are 3 sons, Ronald Boyle of Hornell, Thomas (Lisa) Boyle of Hornell and Donald (Nikky) Boyle of Kissimmee, FL; 1 sister, Barbara (Hugh) McCarty of Auburn, AL; 1 brother, John (Donna) Sherman of Whitney Point, NY; 4 grandchildren, Shaun Boyle, Debra (Brandon) Avery, Caitlin Boyle and Kendra Boyle; 3 great-grandchildren, Jasmine Avery, Nevaeh Avery and Blake Avery; 4 “Grand-Dogs”; several nieces & nephews.

The family of Elaine R. Boyle will receive friends on Saturday from 12:00 (noon) until 2:00 PM at the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY where a funeral service will be held at the conclusion of calling hours at 2:00 PM with Deacon Robert McCormick officiating.  Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Elaine’s family requests that memorial contributions in her name be made to Relay For Life, c/o the American Cancer Society, 13 Beech St., Johnson City, NY 13790.  Memorial forms will be available at the Dagon Funeral Home.