Elaine McPherson

On the Morning of January 31^st ,2024 Mom passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family in Bourbon, IN. She was born August 28,1940, in Wyandotte, MI., to Gordon and Louise Barnard, who proceeded her in death.

Elaine is survived by her 3 daughters: Bonnie Miller, Patti Howard, and Cathi Brandenburg; sisters: Linda Popp, Donna Carmean, Anita Verlinde, and Barbara Sewell. She was blessed with grandchildren: Tommy, Will, and Joe Miller and Angel, Gabriel, and Michael Howard; great grandchildren: Willy, Veronika, Lily, and Evan Miller, Genesis, Jazaniah, Nova Howard, and Micah Howard-Wilson; and great-great grandchildren: Brayden and Parker. In addition to her parents, her brother, Robert Barnard proceeded her in death.

Elaine married Mac “Carl” McPherson, of Grayling, MI, on April1, 1989. He passed on April 26, 2015. Elaine retired from the Holiday Inn, in Grayling, after 16 years as their Dining Room Hostess.

During their 26 years of marriage, they remained in Grayling, MI. They enjoyed traveling in their motorhome to visit their many friends, who also enjoyed the camping lifestyle. Elaine and Mac were known for having cookouts and spending their evenings listening to great country music at their “Bandstand” with friends and family; this was a significant part of their life.

Elaine’s love of sports trickled down to her children and grandchildren including coaching their softball teams when they were young girls at the Gaylord Regional Airport. Later in life, she was the proudest grandmother in the stands, cheering on her grandchildren at every event: basketball, baseball, football, cheerleading competitions, track, and MMA. Elaine was a loyal Detroit Lions and Tigers fan regardless of how they were performing in the standings. She never missed a game.

Elaine enjoyed many hobbies, including cake decorating, which was one of her favorites. When a family member or family friend got married, graduated, or had a birthday party, she baked and decorated their cakes. Decorating cupcakes with her great granddaughters gave her such joy.

In addition to baking cakes for the weddings, she designed each wedding dress, bridesmaid dress, and flower girl dress, a labor of love from a devoted mother.

Her daughters share fond memories of her sewing skills, specifically when she made their Gaylord Alpenfest dresses. Each spring they would visit Yvonne’s Fabric Store to pick up new material and McCall patterns to design their dresses. Participating in the Alpenfest Walking Parade each year was a family outing that was greatly enjoyed. The memories are cherished even more now. Come fair time, Elaine would enter her beautiful cakes, handmade crafts, and dresses in the Otsego County Fair exhibits. She won numerous Best of Show awards.

Her love of crafts continued throughout her life. Elaine was always working on her Afghans, dish towels, and crocheting little dresses on her kewpie dolls.

Elaine’s love and commitment for her family can be seen in every picture she took. Her love for life has been well-documented in her numerous photo albums. Her camera was never more than an arm's length away.

She also enjoyed gardening. Her cowboy boots which she filled with “Chicken and Hens” were well-known by all that visited her home. However, her panda collection was her pride and joy. Elaine never passed up a panda or a clock at a good garage sale.

Elaine will be deeply missed as she was One in a Million.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

In the Lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Hartwick Pines of Grayling, MI in memory of Mac and Elaine McPherson.

A special heart felt thank you:

To Randy, for his endless support; to Emma Lappen, for her companionship with our mother over the past years; to Jodi from Interim HealthCare of South Bend and to Dawn and Barbara from Heart to Heart of Mishawaka for being here for us over the past month.