Elaine (Sidell) Richmond

Elaine (Sidell) Richmond, of Natick, formerly of Brookline, passed away on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.

Elaine displayed a passion for life that was truly one in a million. You could see it in her bright eyes and big smile when she hugged a friend, spotted a dog in the elevator, received a text from her granddaughters, saw her medical caregivers or enjoyed a vanilla hot fudge sundae with pecans on top from Dairy Queen.

She lovingly took care of her late husband, Paul Richmond, who valiantly battled Parkinson’s disease for 29 years. Elaine put her family above all others, teaching everyone in her life the true meaning of selflessness. Paul was the love of her life, and the two shared 51 beautiful years of marriage.

Elaine was the loving mother of Jill Richmond, Shelley Richmond Joseph and her husband, Scott. She had unconditional love for her granddaughters Julia and Hailey Joseph and Amelia Richmond-Cayen and her grand doggy Sammy.

Elaine grew up in Brookline, MA and took pride in living in the same triple decker on East Milton Road for over 60 years. She spoke proudly about her early years when she worked as a lab technician at New England Medical Center researching and developing the first drugs used to combat Hodgkin's Lymphoma Disease which are still being used today. Once her daughters were born, she stayed home to raise them and returned to work passionately helping students at the Lincoln and Pierce Elementary Schools, as a reading and special education aide for 34 years.

Elaine shared a special bond with her extended family. She cherished her seven nieces and nephews Robin (Dan), Sol (Susie), Melissa (Mike), Danny (Le), Josh (Danielle), Rachel and Jill, and loved their phone calls, texts and visits. She loved her many cousins, particularly the relationship with Myles Raizin who she loved like a brother. She was the sister of the late Michael Sidell, and his surviving wife Merle. She was the sister-in-law to the late Neil and Patricia Richmond. She also had a special relationship with her late brother-in-law Jeffrey Richmond, and his wife Paula. She was the daughter of the late Solomon and Anne (Miller) Sidell.

Since she was a little girl, she dreamed of riding in a hot air balloon. She fulfilled that dream celebrating her 80th birthday this past summer surrounded by family and friends.

Services at the Chapel at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham Street, Sharon on Monday, February 2, 2026 at 10:00am with interment to follow. Shiva will be announced at the service.

Elaine’s family would like to express an immense amount of gratitude to her medical and support team who worked tirelessly to keep Elaine alive for the past five years while she was battling kidney heart and lung failure. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to — BIDMC Nephrology Division for Research and Education https://giving.bilh.org/bethisraeldeaconessmedicalcenter/philanthropy-news/genetic-discovery-propels-progress/