Dear Elaine,
When I met you first time in January, 2020, I felt immediate connection, rapport, and heartfelt love. Our sister relationship has never diminished although you moved out of AZ to get close to your family. I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of your existence. You  were a remarkable person, and your giggle and laughter brought so much light and joy into the lives of those around you. I'll always remember your coaching in a professional arena and sisterhood as my neighbor.  

I can only imagine how heavy your heart must feel when you heard the devastating news. I wanted to be a shoulder for you to lean on, someone to listen, or simply to sit quietly with you,  but I haven't had the physical chance for you. However, I am so glad that I was able to video chat with you and with your daughter, Andy. 

You are one of reasons that I have decided to retire a year earlier than I  planned. I miss you so much because we can do so much fun things together....

For your daughter and son, Grief is a journey that takes time. I am sure you both are going through a tough time but it's OK to feel a whirlwind of emotions. 

Elaine, you will be deeply missed, but your spirit will live on in the memories we hold dear. May you find comfort in the love and cherished moments you shared together.

With heartfelt sympathy,
Your bestie, Myunghan from AZ

This is a picture of me and Elaine at church a few Christmas ago. She surprised me with two lovely handcrafted aprons. She was a skilled quilter and I will never forget her and her sense of humor, her love of dogs and travel. I will miss my dear friend! Memory Eternal

Many wonderful adolescent and teen memories with Elaine. So sorry to learn of this much-too-soon loss.

To Elaine’s family,
Elaine was my friend. We met at Takeda, which evolved to become an unfriendly place for Elaine. She was always warm and wonderful to me, despite the times when she doubted her self worth. She was always so proud of each of her children and was so proud of being a Greek American. I will treasure her warmth, and friendship that lasted for almost 20 years. I am so sorry that she suffered.

Elaine and I met at Rogers grammar school then on to HS , Greek School ( photo ‘77-‘78- Elaine in center) and Ionian Village in Greece together . (1980) .  Before heading to take the bus to Greek school, we always stopped for a cup of avgolemono soup  at her folks diner . All memories I will cherish. 
Rest in peace  Elaine, and and may your memory be eternal☦️

We will miss Thea Eleni very much! She was one of the most generous people I knew; always giving and never expecting anything in return. We loved when she lived here in AZ and were sad when she moved away. Before she moved she had us over and gave us so many things; we will cherish them forever. Her quilt she made for our anniversary is on our bed now♥️From Christmas at Vernon Hills many years ago to talking quilts in Gilbert, AZ we had such great times and we will never forget our Thea Eleni. When I called her a couple months ago she was in such a lively spirit; she sounded just the same as she always did. But that was her; keeping it happy and upbeat no matter what. She was just grand and was such fun to be around. 


Our thoughts and prayers go to all the family; we ask God and Panagia to pour Their grace and comfort upon you all during this difficult time. 

She will always be in our hearts and prayers and now that she is up in the Kingdom that we all strive to be at, I’m sure she is praying for us too. God rest her soul and may her memory be eternal! 

Till we meet again, Thea Eleni! ♥️♥️♥️

Love from all of the Mixis Family.

Our sincerest condolences to Elaine's family.

We had the pleasure of befriending her at the Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Chrurch. Her presence lit up every room she entered, and her generous kindness was something that we intensely admired. Furthermore, her light-heartedness made a lasting impact on us as she never failed to make us feel joyful to be in her company. Her beauty, inside and out, will be sincerely missed.

My condolences to Elaine’s family.  I met Elaine at Fanari Camp in 1977.  Many fond memories.  May her memory be eternal.

I will never forget my first meeting with Elaine back in March of this year when our teams were brought together through a restructuring. Her energy, humor, and willingness to take things head on came through on that first phone call. Over the next 5 months, I got to see her flex into new responsibilities, and her and I would always joke that she called me way too much, but it was necessary. Things were moving so fast, and she was running right alongside all of those moving parts. What always started as problem solving, and maybe a little venting on both our ends, would always end with conversations about life and how excited we were about what was taking place and how we all get to be a part of creating it together. 

As I remember Elaine, I remember her smile, her laughter, and her ability to run towards things that needed attention, while building others up. She was so thrilled to be a part of our newly formed team, and we will honor her memory by continuing to build up the team that she was so proud and excited to be a part of.

My sincere condolences to the family of Elaine. May she rest easy in grace and love.  

She was a wonderful colleague and will be missed.  She was a friend to everyone. (A donation was made in her honor at St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Monastery.) 

She may not be here anymore, but she will be forever in our hearts. 

Love, 
Mary Morrow

Sending all my sympathy and prayers for the family and friends of my beautiful friend, Elaine. 

I knew Elaine from her time at Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Palatine. She worked tirelessly using all her talent to beautifully decorate our church, sing, read scripture, and offer herself in any way to whomever needed her.  We all loved her warm, loving, generous and humorous personality. Her faith was steadfast and inspirational. 

I also enjoyed her wonderful gift of hospitality when she opened her home to me in Arizona.  I needed a place to stay, while attending my nephew’s wedding. I am so grateful for the opportunity I had to get to know her better during my stay.  It was also fun to witness her love and joy for her beloved little doggies. 

I am very grateful she made a point of taking me to the beautiful and holy site of  Saint Anthony’s Greek Orthodox Monastery, during my stay.  What a blessing to be there!

As I departed her home, she insisted I take some of her lovely sewing handiwork with me. I left with a pretty quilt and two Christmas Table Runners that I will always treasure.  

I think of her every day, when I am kept warm by her quilt. 

Sending love and prayers for Eleni and family…🙏☦️💕

We met Eleni in 2004. She heard about us from an acquaintance and "invited" herself (so to speak) over to give us some wonderful and thoughtful gifts. You could not know Eleni apart from the grand generosity in her heart. We lived about 90 min. from her and she came over often and enough as if she lived on the next street. She had such a love and spirit of giving towards my family that I was often awestruck into what made her tick. But it was always her deep faith in God and the "philotimo" she had. A deep, vibrant, and abundant outpouring of the empathy, compassion, and care of her fellow human. She cultivated it in her heart and everyone experienced it in a personal manner. Eleni, our lives are not the same knowing you have gone on. May the good Lord grant you a blessed repose and reward you for all your love & sacrifice!

Elaine Katherine Dafnis
I lost a very dear friend today after her fierce fight with pancreatic cancer. I remember her telling me the diagnosis this summer, so matter of fact, stage 4 cancer… She was  in much pain to the very end but she never changed her attitude toward life that she lived always as a champion. She was probably the smartest and most accomplished woman I have known and yet so humble.  She never bragged of her accomplishments or degrees. I only knew of them because I asked. She loved and supported me and my family like she was my sister. Her generosity had no bounds. She shared her gifts with our Church family, decorating our building and sanctuary for every season and feast with such beauty we are still trying to be that good, and sang in the choir and loved and gave to anyone that needed help in any way she could. She loved the Church, it is her family and I am thankful she will be celebrated in her Church family in NC. I am so blessed to call you my friend Elaine. So thankful you are no longer in pain and are “dwelling with the blessed.” Until I see you again in our Heavenly Kingdom, love you my friend.

A sun ray that’s what I can compare Elaine with. I met her in church, then she came to our  family Pascha celebration- kind, sweet, generous with great sense of humor.  She made a wonderful quilted blanket for my granddaughter. It was a very precious gift - she made it with so much love and so much taste. She took her grave diagnosis as God’s will. Elaine carried herself with Christian dignity, not complaining. 
Elaine was loved,  she was a member of our church for a few years and touch many hearts. 
Memory Eternal to you, our much loved Sister in Christ, a wonderful friend, a tender soul, a spiritual icon for us all.

Elaine was a beautiful person, good friend. Compassionate, kind, caring, she was always bringing light to the room. She was creative and happy to share her talent with friends. She was strong in spirit and humble. She is missed. Deepest condolences to all extended family.

Elaine is a light. She will continue to be remembered and loved.

To the extened Family, 
My deepest sympathy and prayers are to. All.  

Sincerely,
Henry Lass.

Elaine was very generous and hospitable with our family and her whole church community in AZ. Her house was always open and she loved to treat our kids on shopping trips and swimming at her house. She was known to bring many smiles to children's faces with organic gummies and creative quilting and sewing projects. May her memory be eternal! Love and prayers to the whole family! In Christ, The Paez family

Elaine was our pretend “Yia yia” during the time that she lived in AZ. She always generously spoiled my kids and helped our family out in numerous ways. We have beautiful quilts to remember her by. May God grant her paradise!

I have many wonderful memories with Elaine from our teenage years.  I absolutely love seeing all of Elaine's pictures with her beloved pets on Facebook.  I know Elaine will be missed by many.  My sincerest condolences to the Dafnis, Tompary and Alwan families.   May her memory be eternal.

I got to know Elaine (Eleni)  very well ten years ago.  Elaine was a very intelligent, kind-hearted, and funny person.  She faced many challenges in life but approached them with courage and strength.   I found Elaine to be very committed to her family, friends, church family and her three doggies Shiloh, Pierre and Marc,   Elaine was a very committed Orthodox Christian and was so proud of her Greek Heritage  and her church which she became deeply involved in since childhood.  My condolences to all who loved her!

So many memories I have of Elaine revolve around laughter.  She was such a joyful spirit, the giggles would erupt no matter what we were talking about. Our virtual cocktail hours were always full of humor and joy. A favorite memory is watching one of her favorite movies with her: A Walk in the Clouds. So grateful she shared it with me. I now imagine Elaine walking in the clouds and will forever cherish every moment in time I had the privilege of spending with her. Love you my dear friend.

OBITUARY

Elaine Katherine Dafnis

February 17, 1964 – November 10, 2023

Brown-Wynne Funeral Home

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