I recently attended a memorial service for a beloved neighbor, Ms. Elaine Faye Gunter. Ms. Elaine was one of the first people I met when I started attending community meetings several years ago now. She was so kind, so warm, so welcoming. Humble, generous, and encouraging.

Ms. Elaine earned a Master of Science degree in Information and Telecommunications Systems from Johns Hopkins University. She worked as a senior software engineer for NASA for many years. She worked pretty much up until her passing at 77 years old. Ms. Elaine was like many elders in the neighborhood, particularly women, who enjoyed a remarkable career, accomplishing a lot in the face of discrimination.

I don’t quite remember the year I met Ms. Elaine. We developed a warm friendship through our community involvement. I will always remember how she stood for decency. Literally standing up in meetings to ask that everyone, whether new to the neighborhood or a long-term resident, be treated with respect.

Ms. Elaine was a core member of the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association development task force. By the time I moved to the neighborhood and started attending meetings, a couple of big projects were just getting underway. At almost every meeting, Ms. Elaine would ask for a wine bar.

We did not get that wine bar before Ms. Elaine passed. A group of us would get together every so often outside the neighborhood for food and friendship. One of the last memories I have of her was my birthday dinner in May. She gifted me wind chimes for my porch. Hopefully we will get a chance soon to raise a glass in the neighborhood for the gift that was Ms. Elaine.

May she rest well and memories of her be a comfort to all those who loved her.