Obituary of Elaine D. Barnum

Elaine Dorothy (Jenks) Barnum, 92, of Endicott peacefully passed away March 15, 2016 at Bridgewater Center after a long illness. Elaine was born in Hartwick, NY on October 13, 1923, daughter of Dorothy (Douglas) and Ben Jenks. She lived her early years in the "Butternut Valley" (Garrattsville, Morris, Hartwick). She was a 1941 graduate of Morris High School. During the war she worked at Scintilla (Bendix) in Sidney, NY, where she met her future husband, Leland "Pete" Barnum. They were married September 1945 and she moved to Endicott where she lived until her illness. She was an avid reader and a familiar face at the Endicott Public Library. She especially enjoyed books about the royal family. It was her dream to visit England. When she was 15 years old she began a lifelong friendship with her pen pal in England, Gladys Cooper. Finally in her later years she realized this dream and was able to visit England three times. When her sons were growing up she became active in the Endicott Junior Rifle Club, also acting as their treasurer for many years. She enjoyed sitting on her front porch and watching the neighborhood activity. She was always willing to help out a neighbor whenever she could. She loved fashion and was always impeccably dressed - right down to her jewelry and accessories. However the love of her life was her family - especially her grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents, Ben and Dorothy; her husband Pete and her brothers, Neilan F. Jenks and Robert B. Jenks. She is survived by her sons, Peter (Beverly) Barnum of Endwell and Rand (Deborah) Barnum of Vestal and her grandchildren, Benjamin, Samuel, Hannah and Sarah Barnum. She is survived by sisters-in-law, Shirley Jenks, Louise Jenks and Lois Jenks and nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the staff at 3B Bridgewater and a special thank you to Louise Mitzel and Kimberly Campbell for the loving and dedicated care shown to Elaine. Funeral Services will be held Saturday at 11AM from the Coleman and Daniels Funeral Home LLC, 300 East Main St, Endicott. The Rev. Michelle Bogue-Trost, pastor of Church will officiate. Burial will be in Riverhurst Cemetery, Endwell. The family will receive friends at the Funeral home, Saturday from 9AM until service time at 11AM. Contributions may be made in her memory to the Central United Methodist Church, 17 Nanticoke Ave., Endicott, NY 13760.