Elaine M. Hines

Born on September 27, 1958, in Philadelphia, PA, Elaine was the third child of Raymond Joseph and Joan Catherine (Flenders) Kane (both deceased). She was the beloved wife of the late Joseph J. Hines and is survived by her two children, Laura Marie Peterson (Greg) and John Joseph Lynch III; four cherished grandchildren, Makayla and Delaney Peterson, and John and Fiona Lynch; her sisters, Karen (Tom) Miller, Maureen (Gene) Olivant, and Tina Kane; and many loving nieces, nephews, and dear friends. She was predeceased by her siblings Joanne Fisher and Ray Kane.

Elaine was a lifelong resident of Delaware County, most recently of Norwood, PA. She attended St. Cyril’s Catholic School in East Lansdowne, Archbishop Prendergast High School, and Delaware County Vocational Technical School, graduating in 1976.

From a young age, Elaine was sweet and loving. She often carried around her favorite doll, “Lena the Cleaner.” She was especially close to her grandmother (who she called Nana) and shared a bedroom with her which perhaps gave her more knowledge of Lawrence Welk and Peyton Place than most kids her age. That early connection with Nana helped shape the close bond she later had with her own grandchildren. As she grew older, Elaine developed a love for reading, particularly Stephen King novels, a passion she shared with her siblings Joanne and Ray.

Professionally, Elaine was a computer programmer and natural problem-solver. She began her career as a government information systems contractor where she also played matchmaker, introducing her sister Karen to her future husband, Tom. Later, while working for a wholesale party goods company, she became known for her knack in resolving not only internal issues but also problems facing their clients—because helping others was simply part of who she was. Throughout her professional experience, Elaine developed some fierce friendships that became extensions of her family.

In her personal life, Elaine displayed a seemingly unbounded resiliency. She embodied the phrase, “When life gives you Jello, make Jello Shots,” facing adversity with humor and grace.

Even after multiple cancer diagnoses, she met each challenge with courage and laughter. During her most recent fight, she joked about wearing a gold Zoltar turban (like in the movie Big) to her chemo treatments but chose not to out of respect for other patients. That was typical Elaine—funny and thoughtful.

Elaine found the love of her life in Joe Hines, whom she married on April 1, 2005, fitting for a couple that shared so much laughter. In their nearly 20 years together, they faced life’s joys and hardships. In Joes last few years, Elaine was a loving advocate and devoted caregiver for him as he faced the perfect storm of challenging illnesses diabetes, Parkinson’s and dementia until his death in January 2024.

Along her journey in life, Elaine had two very special sidekicks/best friends — her daughter Laura and her sister Maureen. After Elaine’s divorce, Laura lived with Elaine from the time she was 10 years old, and that mother/daughter relationship blossomed into a very special lifelong friendship. Elaine and Maureen had been close since they started sharing a bedroom in their teen and pre-teen years. That friendship became an unbreakable bond as they weathered many health and life storms side by side—always knowing they could count on their big sister Karen to help steady the ship.

After Joe’s passing, Elaine turned her focus on her own health, only to be diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer. She beat the cancer, but her body couldn’t fully recover. She was declared cancer-free but still had two weeks of radiation left and never got to officially ring the bell. Before coming home to hospice care, however, she got to ring it at the hospital surrounded by her care team—Laura, Maureen, Karen, and her dear friends Anthony and Wendy. We are deeply grateful for every moment of wakefulness we got with her as she neared the end of her journey. She slipped away peacefully on the morning of May 17th.

A celebration of Elaine’s life will be held on Sunday, June 8th from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Champagne Room, Polish American Club, 65-67 Marple Avenue, Clifton Heights, PA. If you are joining us, please bring your funny Elaine stories --- we know you have them.

In lieu of flowers, we are asking you to consider donating to a breast cancer charity in Elaine’s memory:

Tax deductible donations made payable to

Pocono Health Foundation

Memo line: Hope for Strength

206 East Brown Street

East Stroudsburg, PA 18301

c/o Denise DuBois

https://www.facebook.com/HopeForStrength

Living Beyond Breast Cancer

40 Monument Rd Ste 104

Bala Cynwyd PA 19004

https://www.lbbc.org/

Breastcancer.org

40 E Montgomery Ave, 4th Floor

Ardmore PA 19003

https://www.breastcancer.org/