Elaine Thea (Smith) Blood, 82, formerly of Newport, Rhode Island and Easton, Massachusetts, passed away on November 3, 2024, after a brief illness, however having had a life well-lived.
Elaine was born to James and Valia Smith and grew up in Whitman, Massachusetts. Following graduation from Whitman High School in 1959, she engaged in several successful careers, retiring from the computer operations organization of Massasoit Community College.
An avid lover of dixieland jazz, one of Elaine’s favorite roles was managing the jazz club that she and Gene owned, The Pickle Barrel, located in Easton, Massachusetts. She, along with family and friends, spent many hours listening to Gene play drums with his dixieland musicians and traveled extensively to hear the band. Sailing brought Elaine and Gene from Easton to Newport, and in 1995, they permanently relocated there. While in Newport, Elaine had one of her most fulfilling and fun careers, working in retail clothing sales, where she met and befriended an amazing number of people and many would tell you they were better off because she had touched their lives.
Elaine had a love for life and whatever she had done last was always the “BEST”. Her positivity and smile were infectious. She always found a reason to celebrate and was known to raise a glass (or two) of wine with friends and family whenever she could. She was a longtime Boston sports fan, especially of the Celtics, a trait she shared with her brother Jim.
Elaine and Gene’s adventurous side brought them to spend winters in their home in Vieques, Puerto Rico, where they met so many wonderful friends and shared their time with anyone that would visit. Their Newport home was a gathering place for all things family and spending time with her pride and joy, her “fabulous” six grandchildren, Harrison, Aidan, Hailey, Anna, Sammy and Nick, with whom “Gram” shared unique and remarkable relationships.
Elaine is survived by her loving husband Gene Blood and three daughters: Jennifer (Lindsay) Carter, Kristine (Peter) Bodycoat and Kara Blood as well as her brother Jim (Barbara) Smith and nephews Patrick (Kathy) and Jimmy (Kim) Foley.
Her family would like to thank the Tidewell Hospice Sarasota staff for their attention and compassion during this difficult time.
Services will be held on November 23rd, 2024 at 11:00am at Trinity Church, 1 Queen Anne Square, Newport, RI with a reception following.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her memory to Toby Keith Foundation: Home (tobykeithfoundation.org), 818 N.E. 8th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73104.
