A Force of Nature: A Tribute to Elaine Appel

Not many people live to see 100 years, but Elaine Appel was no ordinary soul. She was willed by life and love to earn a century on earth before inheriting her wings in heaven. If you knew Elaine, you knew a woman who championed the lives of children that the world too often forgot—those in foster care, the medically complex, and the youth whose anger made them seem unreachable.

Elaine was a valiant and spirited guardian ad litem, a Founding Member of HANDY, a dedicated board member across multiple organizations, and a recipient of both national and local awards for her unwavering service. But beyond all the accolades, Elaine was the person who walked into a room and hugged the roughest kid—the one everyone else overlooked. She showed us all what it means to love unconditionally.

To many, she was a mentor, an advocate, and a dear friend. To me, she was “Mom,” and I was her “Son.” Elaine never ceased in her support of social workers and those in child welfare, knowing that the fight for vulnerable children was one that required both tenacity and heart. Today, we extend our deepest sympathies to her family and loved ones. Her force of nature will long be remembered, her fiery spirit never forgotten.

Elaine loved the kids, and the kids loved her. Her laughter, dedication, and undeniable feistiness brightened every space she entered. She was always fun, and even when she danced with the children, they marveled at how this incredible “grandma” could outlast them on the dance floor. We loved Elaine, and we always will.

There was this woman who swayed through life with elegance and grace, carrying the heart of an angel. Her smile melted the toughest of hearts, unlocking doors that society had long closed. She knew the depths of despair and turned tears into laughter. With arms as strong as her spirit, she lifted those who had fallen. She stood in the flood and parted the waters for those who couldn’t swim. She saw the faces of the forsaken and held the hands of the broken.

With her fiery red hair, her queenly fashion, and her shining smile, she brought peace where there was none. Elaine knew pain, yet she changed the game. She was knighted by God so that the broken could fly.

So fly on, Elaine. Heaven will shine even brighter because of you.

Rest in peace, dear friend. Shalom.

Kirk Brown