Elaine H. Rainey

Janet “Elaine” (Herrick) Rainey, age 82, of Turlock, California passed away on Monday, May 16, 2022. Janet was born March 2, 1940 in Cincinnati, Ohio to Janet Louise (Apking) Herrick and Edward F. Herrick. She lived in Lebanon, Ohio from 1940 to 1977 when she moved to San Jose, California.

Elaine is survived by her son Andrew H. Mc Clure and his wife Stacie; two grandchildren David Mc Clure and his wife Hannah and Stephanie Mc Clure; also one great grandchild William Mc Clure all of Modesto, California.

She is preceded in death by her husband John L. Rainey, her parents Edward F. and Louise Herrick, and her sister Alycen Mansell all originally of Lebanon, Ohio.

Elaine had the privilege of attending all 12 years of school in Lebanon, Ohio with the same classmates. She graduated from Lebanon High School in 1958. She was active in the Lebanon High School Choir and Symphony as well as the drama department where she acted in class plays and musicals. In her senior year, she received a scholarship from the Pillsbury Bake Off, which she used to attend Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio. While at Wittenberg University, she was active in the Kappa Delta Sorority. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. After moving to Turlock, she became a member of the Red Hat Society of which she was large part. After John's passing Elaine moved to Covenant Village in Turlock, California where she was very busy on campus making many friends, serving on the resident counsel and activities committee and loved being a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Turlock, California.

Elaine was a medical secretary at both Children's Hospital and Holmes Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio. Upon moving to California, she continued her work as a medical secretary until her retirement in 2004. Despite moving to California, Elaine would often comment fondly of her years in Lebanon and would openly say, "My heart never left Lebanon!" She also worked as a word processor for the Department of Rehabilitation, rotating with different resident doctors for acute spinal cord and traumatic brain injury. In addition, she worked with Santa Clara Juvenile Probation transcribing probation officer reports for legal hearings. She was tremendously happy in every position she held. Her whole world revolved around her family and was truly blessed. Elaine’s favorite quote was “Having light and passing it on to others”.

Elaine was a member of Lebanon Presbyterian Church in Lebanon, Ohio and Immanuel Lutheran Church in Saratoga, California. She enjoyed travel and was especially fond of her trips to Europe, Alaska, Hawaii and frequent outings to Carmel, California.

Elaine will be buried at Lebanon Cemetery alongside her husband John L. Rainey, her parents and her sister. A memorial service will be held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on Saturday, June 4, 2022 at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers her family requests that donations be made to Covenant Living, 2125 N Olive Ave, Turlock, CA 95382 or Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 640 N Minaret Ave, Turlock, CA 95380

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