Baker City, Oregon
Margaret Elaine Maynard Joseph, 63, of Baker City, died Dec. 25, 2004, at her home after a nine-year battle with cancer.
A celebration of her life will be Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Stephens Episcopal Church, 2177 First St.
Elaine was born April 1, 1941, in McMinnville to John Carroll Maynard and Betty Mae Hackney Maynard.
Elaine graduated from high school in McMinnville in 1959. She was married to Claude Talley for many years and they had three children: Debbie, Ted and Dan. She and Claude lived in the Carlton area before moving to Baker in 1972. She and Claude later divorced. She married Keith Joseph and together they raised a granddaughter, Laura Talley. Elaine and Keith later divorced.
Elaine worked at many professions but the one she enjoyed and loved the most was working as an alcohol and drug counselor at Powder River Correctional Facility. She was very proud of her state and national counseling certification and never stopped reading and studying to increase her knowledge in her profession. She touched many people’s lives through her work, both clients and peers.
Elaine was a very courageous lady and was an inspiration to many. She never gave up, she fought long and hard during her illness, getting strength for her battle from her church and her Native American heritage, as well as her family and friends. She was always ready to give advice, wanted or not. Those who knew her knew when she shook her finger, she meant business.
Elaine had a very full life. She surrounded herself with friends and family. She was active in the Elks, she loved to listen to the Drum and Bugle Corps and she loved dancing and country music. When her children were at home she was very active in their lives and as they became adults and had children, she became very active in the lives of her grandchildren and later her great-grandchildren. She loved her family and always had a project she was making for “one of the kids.” Elaine loved the outdoors and loved to hunt and fish.
Elaine is survived by her daughters, Debbie Gorte and Laura Talley; sons, Ted Talley and Danny Talley; her father, John Maynard; her brothers, Ken Maynard and John Maynard; five grandchildren, April, Randi, Michael, Shaun and Anthony; nine great-grandchildren; many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews and special friends, Norm and Bev DuBosch, Nina Hipperson and Doug Ferrel.
Memorial contributions may be made to Mountain States Tumor Institute in care of Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 543, Halfway, OR 97834.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, December 31, 2004
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor
