Rebecca Ortiz
I met Elaine 9-10 years ago when I was sent by my mom, Ardie, to pick her up and take her to church. My daughter, then only 7 years old went along with me. We immediately fell in love with Elaine (she became like family). She was dressed to the 9’s with beautiful matching hat and shared stories with us of her life as a young woman in the WAC. What I loved most about Elaine was how she unashamedly loved others just like Jesus would, accepting them with open arms. She made me laugh and my daughters impression that first day ended with, “wow Mom, one day I want to be like Ms Elaine.” As I learned the day after Elaine went to heaven, my daughter and I shared both happy and sad tears. Happy because we know Elaine now knows exactly where heaven is and I’m sure she’s making people laugh there too and sad because her light doesn’t shine among us here anymore. We are lifting up prayers for Elaine’s family. May our memories of her make her legacy last for lifetimes to come. -Rebecca Stone Ortiz & family (Asunción, Paraguay)