Elaine "Lainey" M. (Carlson) Bendeck

Our beloved mother, wife, sister-in-law, friend, and friend of all animals, especially cats, passed away in her sleep surrounded by family at Treasure Coast Hospice in Stuart, FL on Tuesday, March 7th, 2023, due to complications from a chronic, lifelong health condition.

She is preceded in death by her loving, adoptive parents Florence and Nils Carlson, her brother Richard Carlson, and many other beloved friends, family, and pets.

She is survived by her husband Paul Bendeck of 48 years, her three daughters Karin Meader, Sharin Cutuli, and Angela Bendeck, two sons-in-law Robb Meader and Andy Cutuli, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, neighbors from Amherst, NH, neighbors from her most recent home in Vitalia at Tradition, as well as her best friend and feline companion, Mittens.

Elaine grew up in West Boylston, MA and had, as she put it, the world’s most loving parents. She was a true New Englander until her later years in life when she contemplated becoming a snowbird and then finally handed in her snow pants for a sun hat and adopted a Floridian lifestyle. She especially enjoyed watching the colorful birds from her lanai and spotting the occasional alligator. Back to growing up, Elaine would tell you that she had a perfect and idyllic childhood, in fact, she wrote this in one of her many diary entries which she had begun in her later retirement years. She had loving parents of Swedish decent, a heritage which she embraced with enthusiasm from collecting Swedish horses to putting out her Tomtegubbars (Swedish elves) for Christmas. She additionally cherished her special relationship with her brother, Ricky. She enjoyed West Boylston and especially enjoyed the summers during one of which at six years old she met her husband-to-be, Paul, on his summer trips to visit his grandparents. Elaine wrote fondly that her and Paul were childhood friends all summer, and that she quite literally married her best friend and childhood sweetheart.

Elaine had a passion for learning which grew and became more and more evident throughout her life. After graduating from West Boylston High School she Initially she went to nursing school at Boston Children’s Hospital for some time, she had many varied jobs in the years after, but especially prided herself on being able to be a stay-at-home-mom to raise her three daughters, whom she considered to be her pride and joy due to how much it meant to her to have biological family. Later in life, Elaine went back to school to pursue a Dental Assisting Certificate, and in her retirement years was known to take online courses in anything of interest. Elaine additionally spent many years volunteering for the Alzheimer’s Association, the American Heart Association, and several different animal shelters including her local humane society. Elaine was also an avid reader, an enthusiastic doer of crossword and jigsaw puzzles, and a lover of music, especially the Beatles and the Mamas and the Papas. Elaine enjoyed family trips to Cape Cod and Maine, and trying to find the loudest and nosiest Christmas decoration (an annual competition with her brother).

In the months leading to her passing, Elaine was able to share with her family that she felt she had a great life, had no regrets, and felt truly blessed. Additionally, in the last months of her life, several friends and family members recognized and acknowledged her as the rock of her family, and she truly was a diamond. She was an incredibly kind, supportive, non-judgmental woman who was unconditional in her love and was always willing to lend a listening ear or a shoulder to cry on. She will be greatly and deeply missed; however, the family takes solace in the fact that she is no longer suffering and has found peace now. We love and miss you, Elaine! We hope you are enjoying some steamed clams wherever you are! In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Heart Association, the Alzheimer’s Association, or your local ASPCA/humane shelter in Elaine’s honor.

A celebration of life is being planned for July 15th, 2023 from 1-5PM at Aycock at Tradition, 12571 Tradition Parkway, Port St. Lucie, FL 34987.

The family requests that guests attend in dress casual attire for the Celebration of Life

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.aycocktradition.com for the Bendeck family.