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Obituaries » Elaine B. Jourdan
Elaine B. Honer Mugford Jourdan
Elaine was born in Waterbury, Vermont, on October 26, 1928, to Maurice D. Honer and Viola Miner Honer. She was the youngest of four children. Her siblings, Arietta, Lawrence, and Maroni, predeceased her. Elaine graduated from Waterbury High School in 1946. Elaine was very gifted musically. She started tapping out tunes on the piano before she was five-years-old and sang with a perfect ear. In high school, she belonged to Glee club and all the music clubs, and she was in a trio called The Sunshine Lassies. She married Gerald Jourdan on June 22, 1946. Her first of two children was born on May 9, 1947, Gerald Jourdan, Jr. Her second child, Jill Elaine Jourdan, was born on May 23, 1964, some 17 years later. Elaine worked at Cellucord, Corp for 15 years. During this time, she did a lot of volunteer work playing the piano for the Vermont state hospital, and nursing homes. She was also active in the Catholic Church, serving as Grand Region of Catholic Daughters and an Officer in the Alter Society. She led a very full and active life. Elaine also served for many years on the Waterbury ambulance square. She loved the people she worked with. She divorced and moved from Waterbury to Barre. Elaine met her second husband, Elmer Mugford, and they married on October 22, 1978. Elaine inherited many step children and step grandchildren, who she enjoyed and loved. Elaine and Elmer shared five years togther before he died. During this difficult time, Elaine became very involved with Barre Tones and her Quartets. It was the most rewarding time of her life. The Barre Tones were like a family to her. In 1996, she was chosen Ms. Vermont Senior. Three years later, she was chosen to represent Vermont in the American Classic Woman Pageant in Biloxi, Mississippi. Elaine joined the work force again at age 58, after Elmer died. She worked for the Council on Aging for 15 wonderful years. She met and made many lasting friendships. During this time, she spent many good times drinking and playing cards with her buddies Ginger, Kirby, Henry, Mimi, and Cindy. In her twilight years, Elaine first lived with her son and daughter-in-law in Williamstown, VT, and then moved in with her daughter Jill. She enjoyed a closeness with her daughter that was very special. She was very proud of her grandsons, Christopher and Geoffrey. She adored her daughter-in-law, Sally, who helped to care for her until she died. She loved all her nieces and nephews, to include Susan Griffin, Kim Healy, Jean Ellis, Tracey Guss, Roxane Elllis, Jan Robinson, and the Jourdans, Larry, Sheila, David, Diane, Trevor, Dana, and Leia. At the age of 89, she was an amazing woman: bright, funny, and a good friend. Elaine’s pretty green eyes and her smile brightened the room. She will be missed by all. A memorial service will be held at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Barre, Vermont on January 20th, 2018 at 11AM.
