Elaine Gunn, 86

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Mrs. Elaine Scott Gunn, 86, of Lake Buel Road passed away Saturday, February 25, 2017, at the home of her son in Dallas, Texas.

Elaine was born in Hagerstown, Md., on August 14, 1930 to Norman Lee Scott and Laura Robinson Scott. The youngest of seven children, she had five sisters, Lillian, Hazel, Catherine, Dorothy and Ruth and one brother, Sonny, all of whom preceded her in death. 

With the blessing of her mother, Elaine moved to Stockbridge, Mass., at the age of 14 with the family she worked for in Hagerstown. She graduated from Williams High School in Stockbridge and then went off to attend New York University in New York City.

She met Clarence Sylvester Gunn Jr. at the Brinson’s Tea Shop in Great Barrington. Elaine married Clarence at the Clinton A.M.E. Zion Church in Great Barrington on March 25, 1951. This March would have been the couple’s 66th wedding anniversary. Clarence, also known as Moe, preceded his wife in death just a little less than a month ago.  

Elaine completed her education at North Adams State and became a teacher. She taught third grade at Bryant Elementary School in Great Barrington. She went back to school and earned her M.Ed. at North Adams State. She retired after almost 25 years of teaching, and then went on to pursue her love of teaching at the Norman Rockwell Museum, where she worked as a tour guide, teaching about the life of Norman Rockwell.

A very important aspect of Elaine's life was her spiritual life. She became a very active member of The First Congregational Church in Stockbridge. She was one of a committee that ultimately brought the current pastor, Reverend Brent Damrow, to the pulpit of The First Congregational Church.  She also served on the service league at the church.

In addition to her work at The First Congregational Church, Elaine had many varied interests. One of the most notable was her effort, along with a small group of townspeople, to designate the birthplace of W.E.B. Dubois as a historical site and eventually have a monument built on the land to honor the man. Moreover, Elaine loved to travel, and she and Moe took numerous cruises, and visited various countries. "Mama Gunn," as one of her dearest and devoted friends, Jeff Martini, called her, loved interacting with people of all ages and reveled in telling her stories, to the delight of all those who knew her. She will be truly missed.

Surviving Elaine are her five children, Fatinah (Tina), Anita, Clarence III (Clay), Tracey and Scott; nine grandchildren, Halimah, Kamal, Tiana, Kenita, Tondalea (and husband Kevin), Cheryl (and husband Daniel), Clarence IV, Marissa and Keshia; two great-grandchildren, Jaylen (mother Marissa) and Daniel (mother Cheryl); four nephews, Abdul, Keith, Gregory and Aloyouis; three nieces Bobbie, Donna, and Terri; and a multitude of great nieces and great nephews on both sides of the family.

One grandson preceded her in death, Orrin Darnell (mother Anita), as well as one son-in-law Bland Kevin Tinsley (wife Anita).

Funeral notice: The funeral will be held on Friday, March 3, 2017, at 11 a.m. at The First Congregational Church of Stockbridge, 4 Main Street, Stockbridge, MA 01262.  Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Great Barrington. The family will receive friends on Friday, March 3, from 9:45 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. in the Jonathan Edward’s room at The First Congregational Church of Stockbridge.

Donations in memory of Elaine may be made to Housatonic Heritage. Indicate on the memo line, the donation is to go to the Clinton Church Restoration. In addition, donations may be made in memory of Elaine, to the American Heart Association through Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. Arrangements are under the direction of Finnerty and Stevens.