(SitNews) - Elaine Gildersleeve was born, the sixth of eight children, to George and Barbara Leno in North Dakota on July, 16, 1930. She passed away peacefully in her Kula, Maui, home on February 13, 2017.

She married Murray Gildersleeve December 29, 1947, and they had five children, cared for two foster children, and dozens more called her ‘mom.’

A loving wife, daughter, sister, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, auntie and friend, Elaine loved everyone with the tender, compassionate heart of a Christian and prayed for each one daily.

A true "sourdough," Elaine loved her life in southeast Alaska, becoming a pilot, keeping the books for the family logging business and enjoying a reputation as a skilled fisherwoman. She was an excellent cook and enjoyed preparing meals for her family and church family, and had a large library of cookbooks. But. as everyone knew, her best recipes were never written down as there were no measurements.

Though Elaine and her husband retired to Maui, Alaska called them home every summer where they continued to enjoy the outdoors.

Elaine had an unwavering faith in God. She was a member of the Lahaina Seventh-Day Adventist Church. Over the years, she was very involved with the church and served the Lord in various capacities. She was also a talented musician, played the organ and saxophone, whistled like a songbird and sang like an angel, passing her musical talents on to her children.

Elaine was proceeded in death by her sons Ronald and Roger. She was also predeceased by her brothers Lloyd and Aaron Leno, and her sisters Ruth Dawes and Edith Smith. Elaine is survived by her devoted husband Murray Gildersleeve and her children Barbara Bunch of Boise, ID, Susan Gildersleeve of Maui, HI, and Richard Gildersleeve of Wrangell, AK. She is also survived by her sister Lorraine Poulin of Maumee, Ohio; two brothers, Lester Leno of Walla Walla, WA, and Arlie Leno of Tacoma, WA; seven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.

A memorial service celebrating her life will be held Sunday, February 19, 2017, at 11:00 AM at Lahaina Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 655 Waine'e St, Lahaina, Maui. Prior to her death, Elaine expressed her wish that in lieu of flowers a donation to her church or favorite charities (Adventist Development Relief Agency – ADRA and Adventist World Radio – AWR) be given in her name.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. – Philippians 4:13

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