Elaine Saxton (nee Galmore)

Elaine Saxton (nee Galmore), of Howell, Mich., died peacefully January 11, 2016 at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Ann Arbor, surrounded by family. Elaine died from complications related to Myelodysplastic Syndrome. She was 85 years young.

Elaine is survived by her three children, Sheila Barnes of Walled Lake, Mich., Dr. Richard Saxton (William Nilva) of Sacramento, Calif., and Michael Saxton (Diana) of Howell; six grandchildren, Kristen (Josh) Zook, Melanie (Joe) Hellenga, Mitchell (Mackenzie) Saxton, Dustin (Krystal) Saxton, Nicholas Saxton and Hayley Saxton; the six “greats.” Chase, Jameson, Madden, Aidan, Tucker and Scarlett; and her sister Alice Ann Galmore of Howell.

Elaine is proceeded in death by her husband William L. Saxton; sisters Ruth Johnson, Jean Kutche, Muriel Barr, Martha Wilson, June Galmore; and brothers Thomas and Robert Galmore.

Elaine was born in East Jordan, Mich., on March 28, 1930 to Tony and Grace Galmore, who preceded her in death. Elaine was the granddaughter of William Ellis Malpass and Alice Ann (Round) Malpass, who immigrated to the United States in 1873 from England and established the East Jordan Iron Works. Elaine attended Central and Eastern Michigan Universities. She married William L. Saxton in 1948 and they lived in Britton, Mich., for 35 years where William was a coach, teacher, principal then superintendent at Britton-Macon Area Schools. Elaine will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Over her lifespan she worked as a substitute teacher, made puppets for the Herrick Hospital Auxiliary, was employed at Boysville of Michigan and Dundee Products. She was a past member of the Congregational Christian Church in Britton. Elaine was a gifted seamstress, knitter, basket weaver as well as an aficionado of fine linens and hand made lace. Elaine was a passionate life long Democrat and avid supporter of our President Barack Obama. She enjoyed spending summers at the Lake Charlevoix cabin she built with her husband William in 1966.

Elaine was an accomplished rug hooker. A photo of her award winning rug “Royalty” was published in The Celebration of Hand-Hooked Rugs XXIII presented by Rug Hooking Magazine. Elaine was a member of the Plank Road Chapter of Quester’s as well as the National Guild of Pearl K. McGown Hookrafters. Elaine assisted her sister Alice Ann Galmore in publishing and editing The Malpass Family of East Jordan, Mich., a book detailing her family's history from its origins in England to their life as the founding family of a business that continues today as the East Jordan Iron Works.

Graveside services are to be held at Sunset Hill Cemetery in East Jordan, Mich. A memorial service is to be held at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be make to UNICEF’s K.I.N.D., Kids in Need of Desks  (www.unicefusa.org/donate/be-kind-student-malawi-donate-desk/16081) or Gleaner’s Community Food Bank (www.gcfb.org).

Funeral Arrangements by Lynch & Sons Funeral Home, Walled Lake, Mich.