Elaine M. (Young) Dressel
FLORENCE, MA – It is with great sadness to announce that our mother, Elaine Marguerite (Young) Dressel, 82, passed away on May 18th, 2023, at the home of her son Richard and his wife Lori Oliver in New Salem Massachusetts. She was surrounded by love, her favorite music and her favorite flowers, Lilacs.
Elaine was born on February 17h 1941, to the late Richard and Rita (Fortier) Young of Easthampton Mass. She attended schools in Easthampton and graduated from Easthampton High School in 1959. After high school, she married and moved around the country. She eventually found herself raising 4 children as a single woman. It was due to the love and generosity of family and friends that she was able to move her children back to Easthampton. She struggled, but she was able to provide a loving home. It was in 1971 that she met Frank, on a blind date. After a whirlwind romance, they married in 1972 after only 5 months. He became the love of her life. They moved to Florence Mass when they bought their home in 1975. It was here that they built their lives together. They enjoyed antiquing together and would often be seen driving around the Pioneer Valley in their 1910 Model T or 1941 Chevy. She was proud to be a member along with Frank, of The Horseless Carriage Car Club of America which allowed them to travel around the country on tours with their cars. Mom loved dressing the part in period clothing. They had a collection of antique hats that they would proudly wear. Mom enjoyed gardening and her yard was always full of gorgeous flowers. There was always a pot of soup or sauce cooking, and a pie in the oven. She was an avid crafter, always taking classes to perfect her skills, whether it was cake decorating, painting or sewing. Mom’s passion was painting. She had an amazing talent and her attention to detail made her painting come to life. She would spend hours in the makeshift craft room in the basement and sold her work at area craft fairs.
She worked as a purchasing agent supervisor at the VA Medical Center in Leeds MA from 1981 until her retirement in 2001.
Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her beloved husband Frank, who passed May 12, 2020.
She is survived by her sister Janet Berner of Newfane VT and by her loving children, her sons Richard Oliver (Lori) of New Salem MA, Stephen Oliver of Orange MA, Kenneth Oliver (Janet) of PA, and her daughter Christy (Halford) Daley (Chris) of Easthampton MA. She is also survived by her stepson, David Dressel (Amy) of Westfield MA, several nieces, cousins and friends. She leaves many grandchildren, Elizabeth Starks, Erin Marie Flanigan Smith, Amanda Gover, Anna Oliver, Emma Englehardt, Alexandria Bussler, Chelsea Bussler, Christopher Daley, Meghan Dressel, and several great-grandchildren.
The family would like to thank everyone who cared for mom at her time of need. Especially to Kelly and Sharon at Pioneer Valley Hospice and Palliative Care, and to her caregivers while she was able to still be at home, Kiana, Shell, Melissa and to her special “Angel” Susan for sharing her love of music. Thank you all for everything you did for mom, and for us. To Dr Simkin and his team at Valley Medical, mom adored all of you, thank you for your love and compassion for her over the last 40+ years.
At her request, there will be no services. Instead, light a candle, pick some lilacs and play some of her favorite music (Elvis, Johnny Cash or any old country musicians) in her honor.
Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, is assisting the family.
Guest book online at WWW.WITTYFUNERALHOME.COM
Published by Daily Hampshire Gazette on May 25, 2023.