Elaine was a wonderful friend and colleague for many years. She was such a bright and interesting person. It was a privilege to have known  her.

Light shone from her face. Every encounter with Elaine, whether it be sitting next to her at a Temple Sinai service, or working with her on the congregational oral history, or visiting with her at the memory care residence, was an uplifting, life-affirming pleasure. My deep sympathy to Elaine's family, and gratitude for sharing her with us.

I graduated from Walter Johnson in 1994. Ms. Parker was my AP European History, and she was a beloved, funny, and passionate teacher. She made history come alive with her humor, and always brought women's voices and perspectives forward. I remember attending a brunch she had for her AP students at the end of the year, and the warmth with which she opened her home. I am grateful to have had her as a teacher, and I am sure her legacy and impact lives on in generations of students. May her memory be a blessing.

I first met Elaine Parker, forever Mrs. Parker to me, when I was 4 years old.  I spent two days a week at her home where she cared for me and my brother as an even exchange so my mother and she could do additional college to restart their teaching careers.  These afternoons at the Parker were full of love and fun because of the kind and wonderful person that she was.  She was like a second mother to my brother and I for several years.  Prior to the internet we could count on Mrs. Parker for historical facts, she always knew the answer.  It was my pleasure to be part of the Parker family in those early years.  My condolences to John Douglas, Steve, and Alan.  

I had an opportunity to meet Elaine 28 years ago when she jumped the broomstick with John. She was a lovely lady whose loveliness captured John's spirit. May she rest in peace.  John, my condolences to you. 

Mrs. Parker was one of my most formative teachers in high school (WJ class of '92), and this continued well into college. Midway through those college years, I went back to seek out her advice on becoming a high school history teacher -- a testament to the depth of her inspiration. But she saw right through me and realized this was a half-baked idea of a college student who was still wandering and needed to wander for a while longer as I got to know myself. So she did her best to convince me not to commit to that path -- at least not yet. It was sage advice. In the end, I went on to do other things, but to this day, history remains a deep interest of mine.

A rare soul who left a deep mark on many. I am lucky to have had her as a teacher.

I still remember the quote she used to say in class -- "If you could only smell history!"  

As a co-worker of Elaine, I found out quickly that she was a kind and loving soul.  She always had positive things to say to me, my teams, and students.  Her positive influence on students, and myself as a fellow teacher, is immeasurable. Thank you Elaine and may peace be with you always.

Elaine was a wonderful friend to me. She was there for me when my two oldest children were little, watching them so I could go to the grocery store on my own, delighting in their accomplishments, having them over for a popsicle to talk about their day or about events in the world, and she loved to have them come trick or treating every year on Halloween. She watched them when I needed to stay late at school to see Senior Project Presentations. She knit all of us scarves and my son one of his favorite hats. She and I would go shopping together as friends. When I first started teaching, Elaine always had kind words for me and was there as a support. I remember her reading the NY Times and Washington Post daily to keep up with world events, and her studying so that she could learn to read Hebrew. I will miss her dearly. 

Ms. Parker was one of the most memorable, best teachers I ever had. She taught me a ton. She got me to grow up. She supported me when I needed it, even if I irritated the bejeesus out of her as a student. And she was one of the very few teachers I sought out after the fact to thank. I wish I’d done that more and stayed in better touch. 

Please know that she meant a whole lot to her students (for whom, on this, if nothing else, I feel I can speak). And that lots of her alumni are spending this time remembering her together and feeling grateful that they ever had the chance to learn from her. 

Elaine was, simply put, a brilliant and compassionate teacher.  I worked with her for six years at WJ, and I was  always impressed by the depth of her planning, her interest in her students, and her intellect.  And she was a wonderful friend and colleague.  She will be missed.

OBITUARY

Elaine R. Parker

April 1, 1942 – May 28, 2020

Hines-Rinaldi Funeral Home

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