Elaine Rose Flint was born in Portland, Oregon to Lawrence Flint and Florence Twigg Flint. She grew up in Scholls and graduated from Hillsboro High School in 1953.
On November 3, 1951 she married Vernon Joseph Plass. They had six children:
DeAnna Plass Russelle, JoEllen (Jodi) Plass Swehla, MaLyndia Plass, Fredrick Plass, JaNene Plass Folwick, Matthew Plass
They have 14 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, one great great grandchild and another due in September.
Elaine graduated from nursing school and started her career at Maryville Nursing Home in Beaverton,Or. She also worked at St. Vincent Hospital and spent the last 15 of her working years as the School Nurse at Hillsboro High School.
After retirement, Vernon and Elaine became snowbirds, spending winters in Arizona. They had a small motor home that gave them the freedom to travel and explore. They also had a Gold Wing motorcycle with a tiny tow-behind, pop up tent which they used to travel for 11 weeks to every state west of the Mississippi.
In 1996, after Vernon's death, Elaine decided to move to Arizona full time. In Arizona, she was very active in a Sorority that focused on supporting volunteer organizations helping families in need. Elaine held leadership position in her Sorority many times over the years. She was also a Red Hat Society member. Elaine remained in Arizona until she decided to 'move home' in December of 2016.
For the last 10 months of her life, Elaine was a resident at Maryville Care Facility – the same place she once cared for others. She didn't just maintain her sense of humor until the end, she improved, practiced, and freely exercised it! She proudly earned her 'Electric Wheelchair Driver's License' then periodically patrolled the halls of Maryville throwing kisses (chocolate kisses) to the workers throughout the building. She had an extremely positive attitude each time she found herself learning to live in another 'new normal'. When her caregivers had to wake her up, it was not uncommon for a big grin to spread across her face even before she opened her eyes to see who was there. Her complaints were rare, her witty comments were legendary.
Elaine Rose Flint Plass will be celebrated at St. Matthew's Catholic Church in Hillsboro on Monday, May 7, 2018 at a 12pm mass, followed by a reception in the social hall. Internment will be at Mountainside Cemetery in Scholls. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the ALS Association in memory of Elaine.