Elaine M. McLain

Elaine M. McLain, 88, of Lancaster, passed away on Monday, August 21, 2017 at Hospice & Community Care, Mount Joy. Born in Lancaster, she was the daughter of the late Harold C. and Loretta A. Faul Gilbert and wife of the late Richard McLain who died in 2003. She was a lifelong member of the Historic St. Mary’s Church of Lancaster. She was vice president of her graduating class from Lancaster Catholic High School in 1947. Before starting a family, she worked for the Lancaster Newspapers in the circulation department. She was the president of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, a member of Child Development Center of Lancaster, the St. Joseph’s Hospital Junior League and also the Golden Hills Club. Mrs. McLain loved spending time with her family, tending to the flower beds in the yard and seeing that the local birds always had plenty of food and clean water. Whenever she could steal away some time for herself, oil painting was a pleasurable way to relax and show off her artistic talent. For many years she and her husband raised and bred Persian cats under the name of Tyen Mau Cattery. She was a member of the Cat Fanciers Association of America. Looking for a good deal or that special trinket at a yard sale or second hand shop was always a high priority on the weekly to do list. Surviving is a son, Mark McLain of Lancaster, a daughter, Neile Gerlach, wife of Dennis Gerlach of Lancaster, 6 grandchildren: Ryan McLain of Ephrata, Zach and Jordan Rhoads of Lancaster, Jonathan Gerlach, Emily, wife of Daniel Pullin and Joshua Gerlach and three great grandchildren, Blake, Kayley and Chase McLain. She was preceded in death by a son, Scott McLain who passed away on March 24, 2002. Her lifelong faith in God allowed her final months to be full of peace and happiness. Relatives and friends are invited to attend Elaine’s Funeral Service on Friday, September 1, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at the Historic St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 119 S. Prince Street, Lancaster, PA 17603 with Reverend Leo M. Goodman, III officiating. The family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. Interment will be in Saint Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Elaine’s name may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 119 S. Prince Street, Lancaster, PA 17603.