Elaine S. Marks

Elaine S. Marks, 88, of Framingham, MA, and recently, of the Washington, DC area, died on October 15, 2023, from pneumonia. Elaine is survived by her daughters, Robbin and Tracey Marks (and their husbands, Daniel Zabronsky and Michael Gravitz); her grandchildren, Hope (and husband Nick Edelman) and Sam Zabronsky, Bobby, (and wife Janae Gravitz), Zoe, Lily, and Ella Gravitz; and her great-grandchildren, Lucy and Ruby Gravitz.

Elaine was born on April 7, 1935 and raised in Fall River, MA. She attended the University of Massachusetts, where she met her husband of 64 years, Paul (deceased). Elaine had a distinguished career in education, beginning as an elementary school teacher, where she adopted the innovative practice of the “open classroom.” In 1971, her focus shifted to higher education when the governor appointed her to the Massachusetts State College Board of Trustees. She subsequently served on the Massachusetts Board of Education and earned her Master’s Degree in Higher Education from Harvard. In 1980, Elaine began developing and implementing professional training programs for state agencies and colleges. She was a driving force in the founding of the Salem State University School of Social Work, an achievement which, in 2011, earned her an honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters.

In 1975, along with her husband, she co-founded the Danforth Museum of Art in Framingham. Elaine championed contemporary crafts through organizing juried shows and serving on the boards of craft organizations in Massachusetts and Washington, DC. Elaine loved traveling the world, especially to Italy, where she refined her culinary talents at cooking school. Elaine always put her family first and was continually available to listen, provide wise advice, and laugh.

A celebration of Elaine’s life will be held at a later date in Massachusetts. Those who wish to honor her memory can contribute to the Danforth Museum’s Paul G. and Elaine S. Marks Society (https://danforth.framingham.edu/make-a-donation/ Click on the gifting page and then on “Marks Family Endowment”), or to the Salem State University Foundation Elaine S. Marks Prize (awarded to a social work student recipient: https://participate.salemstate.edu/ElaineMarks ).

Arrangements under the direction of Stanetsky Memorial Chapel, www.stanetskybrookline.com.