Sure do miss talking to Elaine at leathercraft club in Sun City.
Very nice lady and well thought of.

All of us at the Sun City Leather Club speak of Elaine often.  She will always be present in our hearts.   Sailor

My encounters with Elaine were both brief and infrequent, but in those moments I shared with her and her family, I always felt I was was aquatinted with a rare soul whose zest for life and friendly fire burned deep, warming all in her orbit. One of her greatest appeals was her humor and levity, taking life only as seriously as each moment required. Her devil-may-care attitude was infectious, and will be a standard worth striving for the remainder of my days. Elaine will undoubtedly be missed, but I relish in the fact that I carry the comfort of her memory with me always.

Elaine was a good sister, I was trying to think of a time that we didn't get along and nothing came to mind.  We have always had a good fun relationship.  I would tease her and she would call the a "Ballbuster"  the we would laugh hug and I would tell her I loved her.  There will always be a hole in my heart for my sister until we meet again.  She can now she watch over all her grandchildren when she wants.

When I married her little brother and moved to CT she loved me from the first time I met her and treated me like a sister. She loved my kids so much and I’ll cherish our trips up to New York to visit her. You’ll be forever missed Elaine Shimakonis ❤️

I have a lot of good memories traveling to upstate New York. Elaine always made us feel welcome and we were always happy to be there. I love her and am grateful for having had her as part of my life. 

Elaine was a gentle, kind soul and a great cook and hostess. So many times she and Tony invited Jim and me to their home for great meals and fellowship. We appreciated their friendship. When our home was flooded in 2011  they invited us up to their house for a  meal, but we couldn't get away from the cleanup for that long so they came to our house  and worked with us, which meant a lot. 

After Mimi and Poppy moved to Arizona she would let us help her with making necklaces, or ceramics, or leather. She was always happy to let us spend time with her and she took the time to teach us, even if it took her a lot of patience. She was always willing to help, guide, teach, serve, and love others. 

I am forever greatful of the example that she has been to me.



When I was twelve, Cami and I spent the summer with Mimi and Poppy, and we found some salamanders in the garden. Mimi let us up them in a gigantic jar, and we had some pet salamanders for a few weeks. 

One time when Cami and I were maybe 4 or 5, we were playing on the Treadmill when we weren't supposed  to and Cami fell and broke her nose, while mom and Poppy took her to the Emergency room Mimi stayed with me. All I really remember in sitting on the couch with her, while a care bear movie played and I was just balling in her arms. She held me telling me that it would be okay. She was always good at comforting others, and she gave the best hugs. 



I remember helping her in her garden, one year we helped Poppy put up a tall fence around the yard because the deer kept getting in and eating what we were growing, and Mimi finally convinced Poppy to put up a tall fence. 



I remember when I was younger we  would pick blackberries and raspberries with Mimi. There would be me, Cami, mom(Tira), Mimi, and Poppy. We had this big Blackberry Bush, and a giant patch of raspberries, Mimi always wanted us to put them in the bucket, but if she caught us eating some, she didn't get mad. Mimi would usually make jam out of them, and bring some jar to others; weither it be neighbors, or friends, or other people she visited. She always made sure that there was enough felt over for us. 

Aunt Elaine such a bright light. She was always so happy to see our family when we arrived (late of course) to our big family gatherings.  She always made it a point to spend time with me and each of my sisters and catch up on how things were going in our lives.  Her beautiful smile will be greatly missed.  Sending love and hugs to all the family!! ❤️

Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Such a hard thing to loose a strong loving mother and grandmother.  Think of her often and treasure the memories of the time you had. 

I live the necklaces my grandma made me. I feel so pretty with my necklace

Christmas time at Elaine's house was always a great way to get into the spirit of the season. Every window had a decoration, the grandkids especially liked the snoring Santa, and there was always new Christmas tree decorations for everyone. She would work long hours in the kitchen to create homemade candies to give out to family, neighbors, and friends. She got Tanya involved for many of those years and had a "company name" picked out for their creations. Everyone looked forward to receive a plateful of candy with the tag " Made by T.O.E.S." (Tanya Oakes, Elaine Shimakonis).

Mom and Dad were on one of their cruises. They came up to a formation near the ocean that when it waves hit it right it creates a spout. Mom was looking at it and was lucky enough that she was there when the water came up and got her wet 

To the Shimakonis  Family, I am so sorry for your loss, Your Mom was a kind sweet person who loved everyone. I remember when we were young,  my husband Tony was your moms first cousin. we would go to party,s at your Grandmas house which was always full of love and Tony its wonderful that you have such a strong supportive family. May she rest peace.

                                                     Deb Sylvia

This will be short and sweet, just like Elaine. I met her at Sun City Leather Craft Club.  We worked together as she would purchase products for the club and I would pay for them. She will be missed by all.

My favorite memory of Elaine is from the day of my wedding.  After the ceremony, family and friends came by and congratulated us as they were leaving the room. When it was Elaine's turn, she hugged me and congratulated me and called me Josh! I was a little shocked, as that was not my name. I told my wife Courtney, and we still get a laugh about it to this day.

 I remembered there was a baby when we helped load the moving van. So that was Tyler. I also seem to remember my youngest brother getting into the truck and releasing the brakes and the truck rolling across the street into a ditch. Ha! Your family lived right across the street. I have a few really great memories. One night I came back late from a school trip. My parents had left town for a wrestling tournament and I was locked out of the house. It was after midnight and I was trying to get inside and your mom came out and told me I could sleep on their couch until my family got home. It was an unusual night.

My dad (Wendell) got to know Tony and Tanya when they first came out to Wyoming. They had a pop up tent camper they parked in our yard. We thought their camper was really cool. Then we were excited when Elaine came out with the other kids. We were a little bit disappointed to find out they were all girls. We enjoyed getting together with the Shimakonis family either at their home or ours because Elaine was  such a great cook. 

Their first house in Wyoming was across town from us but after a while they moved across the street from us. We were all sad and missed them when they moved back East. My parents always thought that Tony and Elaine were great people and missed having them as neighbors. 

My Aunt Elaine, Uncle Tony, and the rest of the Shimakonis clan were such a large part of my childhood growing up. It wasn't uncommon for us to get a phone call from Elaine saying they were on their way to our house to visit, and that they'd be there in a few hours. We always got together on holidays and had lots of loud fun and delicious Italian food! I remember one Thanksgiving in particular when I was a teenager and Elaine hosted the first official Brown family reunion at their house. We crammed LOTS of family all into one house in upstate New York where there wasn't much close by. With so many people under one roof, we quickly ran out of hot water and warm showers were hard to come by. I remember being pretty skeptical about how the weekend would turn out. But Aunt Elaine did everything she could to make it a great Thanksgiving. She made sure that we all had plenty of food to keep us full and games to play so we could spend time together as a family and have lots of laughs. Family was always important to her.  It was a Thanksgiving that I will never forget! 

I love you, Aunt Elaine! You will be missed. 

There isn’t one particular memory that sticks out in my mind. Her presence was huge, when she was around you knew it, and you were wise to just do whatever she asked. We always had such a good time when she was able to come for a visit. I will miss teasing her and getting “the look.” 

Growing up on Sunday, at church each of us kids would to try to be the one to sit next to mom. She would scratch our backs and we would look at her mother's ring.

My beloved grandma, Elaine Ann Shimakonis, was an inside and out beautiful woman. I have many fond memories of traveling with my family to go visit her and Poppy at their old house in Summit. I remember when grandma decorated Easter eggs with my siblings and me, the delicious Christmas Eve Lasagna, the warm hugs, and the My Little Pony movies my younger sister and I would watch while grandma read a book in the living room. I remember the many books that filled the shelfs throughout the house and her love of reading helped inspire my love of reading. Even though she isn't here with us physically, I know that she will always be watching over us in spirit. I am blessed to have such a loving grandma. 

Spent many days at the Shimakonis residence in Summit and it always felt like home, thanks to Teana’s mom always welcoming us with open arms. 

I had the least about of time with grandma but my interactions were special. She read me books, snuggled me and I loved times we could be together. 

In the summer of 2018 grandma came to visit for 2 weeks. While she was here we got to see the closest most vibrant rainbow. It was something out of a picture. I loved that we got to see that together. Every tome I see grandma we talk about the rainbow. 

There are so many memories. I was lucky to have Elaine as a mother. She taught me how to cook and even let me take over cooking dinner some nights when I was in high school. 
When she worked for SCAAP we would call her 5 times in a row every day when we got home from school. She never yelled at us to stop she just patiently listened and told us she was going to be done soon. 
She tried to teach me patience but my stubbornness makes that a slow learning process. I’ll still work on it though. 
The one lesson I did master was loyalty. Viewing her interactions with others and following her examples I was taught how to make and keep friends.  Thank you for teaching me how to be a loyal friend. Thank you for teaching me to be kind. 

I will miss Elaine's keeping the Sun City Leather Club running smoothly and her many hours of helping others not only learn the leather craft but share in life experiences.  Larry Milstead (Sailor)

Will always remember Elaine’s  sweet smile and canning bushels of tomatoes together, along with raising pigs at the farm.  

After hearing about Teana’s mom my first thought was how wonderful and kind your mom was. When me and my daughter Vanessa came  out to Teana and Dereks wedding reception in NY. Elaine gladly opened her home to us and made us feel very welcome. That will never be forgotten. 

Mom I love you so much 💜💙 The first memory of you that I want to share is of when we were young living in Richmondville every summer we would participate in the summer swim team I first started swimming with the swim team after Mom encouraged me to try it at the age of 8. Mom would come to our swim meets and cheer us on encouraging us to do our best and was there to support our team. All my siblings swam to. My parents were always there for me no matter what, when I found out I was pregnant with my twins and a single mom my parents were there for me and helped me raise my daughters the first 7yrs. My Mom never stopped loving me and she always had a special bond and close relationship with my daughters because she was always there for me when I needed her regardless of what direction my life took me then again when I needed a safe haven for myself and my son Antonio my parents opened their home and hearts to us. Antonio was able to have a relationship with his grandparents and I was able to have a relationship with Mom that I never had before. I got to know Mom in these last 3yrs in a way that allowed me to see her as more than just our Mom. She was my friend. I loved our conversations together we would laugh, smile, and cry together at times and talk about many different things. I loved her hugs. Antonio has thick curly hair like me and would never let anyone cut it except Mimi or one of his Aunt's. Mom you are greatly missed and forever loved.

My memories of Elaine were fond ones.  I remember she would always allow me to come over and hangout with Tyler after church since we were good friends in Schoharie Valley Ward.      Whenever I came home once I moved away from home she was always one of the first people to come over and say hello.  She made me feel welcomed and loved when when I was visiting the home ward.



She always loved to talk on the phone with people. Whatever time of the day it was she was always up for a good talk on the phone. When I went to visit her she always had some creative idea she was working on. Whether it was leather or ceramics, it was always some brilliant design for someone else. She also really loved to go to Italian restaurants. Or generally any restaurant that wasn't Arby's. When I was around 6 or 7 I started taking it as a personal competition to beat grandma in height. I became taller than her when I was around 10 or 11. She always was a short person and loved that we all found it a challenge to pass her in height.

I remember that my Mimi was so nice and that she would always make me feel better.  
One thing that I remember about Grandma was that once Salem called me a shorty and it hurt me feelings.  Grandma came over and gave me a big hug and said, "Some day you will be taller than me and you'll be the one calling me shorty.  But while you're still shorty, we can be shorties together." It was funny to me because I remember my dad teasing Grandma about being legal allowed to have a handicapped sign in her car because she was under 5 ft. 
Once when we stayed with Grandma at her house she showed us all the things in her cabinet.  She showed us some cups that she had put stamps on.  She also had things from China and her mom in there.  Some things were wedding gifts. She had a story behind each and every item in the cabinet.  
I got to stay behind by myself for several hours and made Aunt Tracey's necklace for Christmas.  It was so much fun to sit and work on necklaces with her. She kept telling me that she loved me so much the whole time and how much she appreciated me helping her to make a gift for Tracey so everyone would have something from her that year. 
All my favorite memories of Mimi was from when we were one on one with each other.  She was alway quieter in a big crowd but when you got to talk to her all by yourself it was always special. 

My grandma was very creative.  She made great things.  She enjoyed being in clubs and doing art.  They sent a lot of time inside doing crafts because Arizona was a good place to be inside.
At their 50th anniversary party Mimi was so glad to see everyone.  She loved to come out and sit one the couch and watch everyone having fun.  It brought her a lot of joy to see all her grandkids together and having fun. 
Mimi was very kind and I loved her.

My favorite memory of Mimi is her puppy sweater at Christmas.  She looked so cute. She was warm and fuzzy when she hugged me good-bye. (She took the time to hug each person good-bye that day as they left their anniversary celebration. It was the final memory each of the grandkids have of her.)
I loved Mimi. We had a great time going to Arizona and I'm so sad Mimi died. It has made my dad so sad. 

My Grandma loved talking to us.  She loved showing us all the cool things that she made. It was great how she made them all by hand.  She loved visit us and sending us birthday cards filled with money! She always called on our birthdays to talk to us. She also loved giving us presents at Christmas. She gave me a knife this year, a tie, a belt, a piggy bank, and cool salt and pepper shakers for each season.  I loved when Mimi and Poppy called to talk to us. 

Some of my best memories of grandma are how she always loved telling us stories of how she had gotten things. I remember being little and loving asking her about the story behind something and then listening to her tell me the story. One of those times was when she and grandpa came to visit. I remember just her and me sitting down in the basement for a long time and just talking about different things.  
Another memory I have of her is when I was in fourth grade. She and grandpa came down for my  commander in training. It was a big accomplishment at my school. I remember being so excited that they had come down because it was such a big deal to me. 
Some more recent memories that I have are of when Davin and I went down to Arizona to visit grandpa and her for a week. I remember them taking us to the different shops and things that they did. I remember thinking all the ceramic stuff was so cool. It was probably the best week of that summer. 
One of my favorite things grandma told me about was when Sicily and I stayed behind with her at the house while everyone else was at the store. We where loading the dishwasher and I kept putting them out of order. Grandma just kept shaking her head and telling me the right place to put it and if I was going to be the tallest one at home then I had to do it right. I also remember her telling me and Sis about everything in her china cabinet, and how cool it was to hear about it all. 

I was introduced to Bethany Brown’s one-and-only Aunt Elaine some years back, and we hit it off famously.  Though her spark has gone from this world, the next has gained a loyal, no-nonsense soul with a true moral compass.  My thoughts are with the Shimakonis and Brown families, who feel her loss but carry within them her strength.

Grandson Levi Adair remembers a visit to Grandma Mimi's house in New York. A large storm came inland and knocked the power out. The water was also off since the well pump could not run. The next day he went outside to explore in the woods around the house. He came running back because he was scared that wolves would get him.   He liked going to Grandma's house.

I remember a couple memories of Mimi. One of them was when I was ten or eleven I found out I was taller than her and that had been my goal for as long as I could remember. Secondly I remember when my family went to her house for Christmas and she made the most cookies I have ever seen and they were really good. 

I remember visiting grandma Mimi's house in New York. In my mind it was the coolest house I had ever seen. I remember her big backyard, her crab apple trees and the wood behind her house, but most of all I remember that she loved us (her grandchildren). She always wanted us to succeed in everything we did . 

I have never met Elaine but I must say she has raised a wonderful daughter!  Tracy and her husband have the most wonderful children I have ever met.  What a wonderful mother and grandmother she has been.  Her grandchildren are a testament to her goodness.

So many fond memories of our families getting together when we were kids!  Elaine was so fun and kind.  Then the excitement of Tony joining the church and marrying her.  Years later our kids getting to know each other through church activities ....enjoy being with your mom and dad and Patti....

Elaine was not only a great Girlfriend and wife, she was a great business partner, Whether it was selling wood and coal stove products in Wyoming,
Montana,and South Dakota.We also operated video stores in Schenectady and Cobellskill NY. My partner voiced a desire to be home with our children rather than working. But she stuck with it till be could get out of the business.My memory Of a loyal wife and business partner.WE owned and operated a couple of rental units.Which were houses we were stuck with when we bought new homes to live in. My partner handled the calls from our tenants usually. Many of the times giving them extenions to pay late rent.

I loved her from the first moment I saw her.   That love grew every day.I’m sure She is waiting to surprise me with one more ambush and kiss. I will always love her forever.


And so it was she who constantly provide me with surprises. I got to offer her only a few surprises. when I did come home on forlough After specialty training, I asked her to marry me. She said yes. I was to be stationed in California. I had turned 18 in boot camp and was very likely to be assigned to go to Vietnam. I wanted Elaine to know how much I loved her. Upon my return from Vietnam I was walking down the passageway George my father and Dora Brown when suddenly my arm jerked and I was pulled to a side door. Elaine grab me and kiss me and I was ambushed Again by her. 

It was my turn to Ambush  Elaine. while I was stationed in California I gave her a call and asked if she would marry me in December of 1969. she and her mother had an original plan of a wedding in June 1970 . she said yes end she and her mother got about planning the wedding early lower mother was not happy. December 1969 we were married

And so our lives went she would surprise me with announcements that we would become parents first with  Tanya. Then with Tracey,Tira ,Teana and Tyler.


Elaine & I often talked about that ambushed and laughed. 
From that moment on he shared some great experiences in high school. High school dances Formals and proms.When graduation came we knew our lives would change With it. Elaine was enrolled in Norwalk Tech College.I was enrolled in the United States Marine Corps .So five days after graduation I was standing on the little yellow feet in Parris Island South Carolina.Elaine surprise me again on graduation day from  from bootcamp South Carolina. I  I took the lessons for the church Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in boot camp and was baptized. and Elaine surprise me graduation day for bootcamp by going to Parris Island South Carolina for that graduation. We were only able to spend two hours together when I added prepare to leave for training in North Carolina. 


My mind is flooded with memories of my beloved girlfriend,and wife of 54 years. I can still remember the first moment I saw her in 11th grade history class,She was in a purple shell,and her hair was up in a beehive fashion.
I had an overwhelming thought that I would marry her someday.I soon worked up enough courage to ask her out. She invited me to come to home and meet her parents.I accepted her invitation  and when entered the kitchen I felt ambushed.Her grandmother Aunts,Uncle,cousin,brothers and some family friends were there to great me. They were also there to see her new baby brother David.


Elaine was always so nice to me. I was a punk teenager always hanging out with her son but she always treated me so well. She raised such an beautiful family. My thoughts and prayers are with the Shimakonis Family. Love to you all!

"Happiness isn't about getting what you want all the time. It's about loving what you have and being grateful for it." 

Mimi loved all of us, she would want us to be happy and grateful for the things and people still in our lives. I will always remember her and the examples and teachings she gave in both her words and deeds. 

I know she loved me no matter what i did or how i acted. She will always play an important role in my life.

I love you, Mimi.

I remember back in New York when i would visit Elaine. those times were very fun and enjoyable. Elaine was very caring and compassionate. I miss her, but I know that she has gone to a better place.

I have known Elaine since I was very young.  The Gabriels and the Browns grew up together in CT and I have always considered them my family.  Elaine was several years older than I was, but she was like my big sister.  We and our families would do many things together at church and just between us, visiting at each other homes.  We even ended up in the same upstate NY church stake together.  I remember when she and Tony were dating, how she would light up whenever Tony was around, and how happy she was when they were married.  That never changed.  I remember, before they moved out to AZ, thinking she never lost that special way she would say Tony's name.  We talked together in good and hard times, and I will always love Elaine and Tony and all their family.  She has left a beautiful legacy.  I know she and Tony will still work together even now in the temple and helping their family and all around them, as they always have.

Whenever Mom visited the most common place you'd find her was in the kitchen.  She enjoyed feeding everyone.  She typified the ideal Italian mother in that way.  Years ago I remember her being in the kitchen with me and we were making some sort of common pasta dish for dinner. I don't remember what exactly we were working on but she came over and looked at what I was doing and said, "Didn't you say you were Italian?" I told her I was and she huffed at me and told me to step aside. It made me laugh. Having Italian heritage on my father's side didn't pass along a lot of great Italian recipes.  I was happy to hand over the kitchen to her.
There is a family tradition to always have lasagna for Christmas Eve.  I remember calling her to get her recipe for lasagna. She started talking about adding cooked eggs in the pan and I laughed and told her to forget it.  I'd let her remain the expert. I guess she never realized that I'd been feeding her son Stouffer's lasagna every Christmas since. When all the siblings decided to have a lasagna cook-off at their 50th wedding celebration this year, Tyler told her we'd bring a Stouffer's and she was appalled!  The jokes and banter about it continued for several weeks until Tyler finally called and told mom we'd be bring a dessert lasagna instead.  They both had a good laugh over it and I gladly agreed to make dessert that night. 

Mom was an avid reader. Often when we visited or she visited us Tyler could be found rummaging through her books and taking some. She'd always give him a hard time but I believe enjoyed sharing her love of reading with him.  I remember on one visit she came to me and asked me what my favorite books were.  It felt like an immense honor to give her a couple of my favorite books off our shelf and to see her take them home with her to enjoy.  Tyler now serves as the president of our city's Library board, a tribute to the love for reading his mother passed on to him.  I hope it's a little piece of Elaine that we can pass on through the generations.

One night after sitting at Mom's bedside in the hospital Tracey, Tanya, Teana, and Tyler returned to Mom and Dad's house and started the hard process of trying to make plans for Mom's burial. They began looking through Mom's clothes to decide what to dress her in for the funeral.  While they were talking I sat down on her bed and started looking at some of the books she had on her bookcase.  A few stuck out to me.
 One was the book I had given her years ago that told the story of her great grandfather Joseph Lillywhite and his pioneer journey through the hole in the rock. I always loved calling and talking to Mom about genealogy.  They were some of the best conversations we had.  We enjoyed the stories together and she loved hearing about how we were taking time to teach our kids about her familyand their lives. 
But the book that struck me the most was her Five Love Languages book.  I remember her talking to me about the love languages and how her insights helped me understand Tyler more.  He's a gift giver and he definitely inherited that from his mother.  Elaine loved to give gifts.  It was how she showed that she cared.  I've never met anyone who gave more of their heart along with a gift than she did.  She'd hand you a present and then look at you deeply for a long time, looking to see if you'd felt the love she was trying to share.  Right now I'm grateful that this is the language she used to share her love because we have many gifts from her still sitting around our home that we can still hold and keep while she is gone and we can remember the immense love she had for all of us.

Elaine is my “Little Big Sister”.  I am several years younger than her, but since she never grew taller than 4’11” it didn’t take long for me to surpass her.  We’ve always been very close, sharing a special bond. Our birthdays are also close so we would share our birthday celebrations which she never complained about.  I have so many special memories of my sister Elaine, from camping trips, cross country road trips, cruises and excursions, etc., too many to include here. I love and miss my big sis, but I know she has been lovingly reunited with mom, dad, our precious younger sister Patty, and my own beloved daughter Bethany. RIP big Sis, love you.

How do I pick just one memory when Elaine has been my friend of over 30 years. I can't! Elaine was a kind, gentle but passionate woman who loved her family and our God more than I can say. She was the first person to tell me that it was not spaghetti sauce but gravy. What?!? That was the robust Italian in her. She was kind and stood by me thick and thin. When I had troubles, she stood there WITH me.  I remember going over to be with her more than help her when she and Tony had the video store outside of Cobleskill. It was fun doing things with her. I remember when she and I had a fight over one of her children I had in primary. She was fierce! You know what they say about TNT, comes in small packages but mighty powerful. Yes, that was Elaine. I still have the little book that she MADE me for my birthday many years ago. Yes, that was the kind of friend she was. Caring. There are no words to fill the gap her passing has caused. I just want her family know that I, too, will miss this one, small but mighty work of God. With all my love forever, Helen Hill

Elaine was my favorite visiting teacher when I was first married with a young family.   She always remembered my birthday, gave me personalized Christmas ornaments (which I hang on my tree every year),  on occasion she would show up to my house in the evening and stay until midnight, just chatting.  She called me "kid" and I pretended she was my Mom because she understood me so well.  We spent 2 Christmas eve's at her house eating her delicious food and listening to Tony read the Christmas story from Luke. I remember when Elaine, Meri Roberts and I  joined a step aerobics class.  It was my turn to drive, and the three of us headed  to the ski lodge at Cobleskill college.  We  drove all the way to the other side of town before any of us realized that the class was 5 miles back in the other direction.  We laughed so hard we had tears in our eyes and I could hardly see to drive back across town.  Over the years Elaine would invite us up to their house in Eminence to view General Conference or to share a meal with the missionaries.  She was a really good cook and her Black Forest Cake is my most requested cake recipe. I learned so  much from my friend Elaine and I pray that I can listen to the spirit and touch someone else's life like she has done for mine.

I first met my friend Teana’s mama on a trip we took together to Vegas for an aesthetics convention. 

I shared with Teana that what I remember was when we were in Vegas her mom had this wonderful laugh. It reminded me of birds singing. Just like the bells she collected. 

May each of you find her always in places you don’t expect, in your children, in yourselves and in one another. 
❤️  
-Tessa Axelson 

   My mom always "waited up" for me when I was out. Usually what really happened is that I would come home and find her asleep on the couch. I would have to wake her up and tell her to go to bed. She was an amazing example of unconditional love. It didn't matter how many times I screwed up or how badly, she never stopped loving me or giving up on me. My mom taught me to always go to church, that family is more important than anything else, and to serve others. She opened the doors to her home again and again to family and friends who needed a place to stay for a little while. She was always there for the important events in my life. She was always there when I needed her. I will miss her more than I can  find words for.

I always loved spending time with Mimi. She was always so gentle and easy going. She loved to spend time with her grandkids and be around family. 

We love you Mimi

I remember the first time I met my future mother-in-law Elaine. She was even shorter than my mom who is barely over 5 feet tall. Even though she was short in stature she had a big heart and loved her family. She loved me like a son and always appreciated me for being married to her daughter.

I also loved her Jersey accent. I would often tell my wife I want Elaine to make me a " sammich".

Her life was devoted to her children and grandchildren. She was a great example of how to love your family. I will always remember this about her. She always remembered birthdays and it's important events.

Ammon Adair remembers his last visit to Grandpa Papi and Grandma Mimi's house. They helped him do leather work. He made a bookmark. First he got the leather wet and then he stamped it with animals and letters. Then he stained it. Finally he sealed it. He will always remember his bookmark and how his grandparents helped him.

J.W. Adair remembers visiting Grandma Mimi on a trip down from Utah to Arizona. Grandma Mimi made lemonade for him and the other kids. She picked the lemons earlier then squeeze them to make lemon juice. She added water and sugar and made delicious lemonade he really liked. This is just a small example of how she liked to serve her family.

Mom I love you. All you ever did was love us. I remember one time I skipped school went to my girlfriend’s house in Troy. Shortly after my car broke down. I bit the bullet and called mom. She drove out an hour and came and got me. We towed the car home and all my mom did was ask if I was ok. All she did was love us. Even when we did stupid stuff . 

Mom taught my that I can do anything I set my mind to do. Almost every picture I have of mom is her with my children. She flew across the country to attend her grandchildren's baby blessings and baptisms. She remembered each of their birthdays. She made or gave each grandchild a Christmas ornament each Christmas. She was brave enough to travel from Utah to NY with me and my five oldest kids ages 9 months to 9 years old in the summer of 2011. We were always welcome in her home and she loved having family together. 

Hanging in our kitchen is a plaque that Mom gave us several Christmases ago, it reads: Family is everything.  It perfectly describes Elaine.
The first time I met Elaine was over the phone.  Tyler called to announce that he was going to marry a girl he’d just met the week before and her feelings were coming very loudly over the phone. When she put her husband on an emergency flight to Ohio to “intervene” in the situation, I knew I had strike one with my Mother-in-law.  
Strike two didn’t take long for me to reach either.  The next time we met was at our wedding. I’d been a bride’s maid seven times over and really was over doing weddings.  A nice casual get together at Tyler’s uncle’s house sounded perfect to me. But Elaine was not too impressed. 
A few months later we arrived in New York for a wedding reception put on by Elaine. Everything was done to it’s very best.  It was then that I realized that for Elaine family was everything and always got the best. Over the years we have always received her best and her never ending love.
As a Shimakonis you always remember your family.  Each of her kids has everyone’s birthdays and anniversaries memorized. You recognized these days because if you forgot you’d be receiving a phone call from Elaine telling you to get your act together. She made sure you remembered that family came first…always. 
I asked her once which phase of parenting she’d enjoyed the most, babies, toddlers, or teenagers. She looked at me with a chuckle and said, “I like this phase the most when they’re all grown up.” Then she told me that she’d wished she’d had more time at home with her kids when they were little and told me I should never give up my hours at home with my kids easily. 
I’m grateful for the fierce love she had for her family. I know she’ll be near us in the years to come because for Elaine, Family is Everything. 


Mom’s maid of honor from her wedding shared with me “Elaine was the kindest person. I moved to Connecticut my senior year and did not like it very much. Elaine made friends with me and was the best. When she got married she waited until I could make it so that I would be able to be there. My plane was delayed and I barely made it. But I did and it was wonderful.” - Jessie Steagal 

So very sorry to learn of Elaine's passing! We served together in Primary years ago in Schoharie, and I remember visiting her in her video store in Rotterdam and at her beautiful home in Summit...... she was fun and a joy to be around. Rest in Peace, Elaine! "May the Lord watch between me and thee while we are absent one from another." Prayers to Tony and family.  Love and prayers, Sue 🙏🙏🙏

Elaine is so amazing!!! Mike and I dragged her all over 2 counties looking at houses.  We would take out a black step stool for her to climb in and out of our huge truck!  Mike lived in Tony and Elaine’s basement for months and they always had a smile and kind words for him. Elaine will be truly missed.  We love you Tony ❤️

I remember when Tony and Elaine would invite us up to her dad's farm with Phylis and Joe Sisson and all of our kids. We would have a wonderful cookout and play games. 
  I also remember how Elaine was very adamant about me not giving up on taking my 8 girls to church, because my kids were too noisy to hear anything.   So, so grateful for that one.   
I also remember how Tony would invite us and a few other couples up to their house every year to help them celebrate  Elaine's birthday.  We love you Elaine!!!



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Funeral Service

Tony Shimakonis

Elaine is also survived by her children: Tanya (Mike) of Fort Worth, TX, Tracey (Troy) of Stansbury Park, UT, Tira-Jo of Phoenix, AZ, Teana (Derek) of Ketchikan, AK and Tyler (Louise) of Eagle Mountain, UT. Elaine was blessed with 23 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. She is survived by her siblings: Jerry (Janie), Alan (Penny), David (Suzanne) and Joseph (Angela).

OBITUARY

Elaine Ann Shimakonis

March 25, 1949 – January 15, 2020

Sunland Memorial Park, Mortuary & Cremation Center

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