Elaine Lucille (Hurtt) Howell Obituary (1924 - 2021)

Elaine Lucille (Hurtt) Howell, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother passed away peacefully on April 16, 2021 at the age of 96. She was born July 2, 1924 in the Bronx, New York to Anna Emma Grell and Newell Hurtt. Elaine loved her parents and sister, Gloria Barbour, and shared many happy memories of her childhood in the Bronx, Tennessee, and New Jersey. After graduating high school in Hoboken, her first job was at Hanover Bank and Trust on Wall Street. At the start of World War II, she took a government job in Washington D.C. at the U.S. Marine Headquarters and in 1947, she married Navy Seaman John Smith. After having their four children, they moved to Virginia Beach. Once all the children were in school, Elaine finished a degree in elementary education at Old Dominion University. Elaine and John divorced in 1972. Elaine taught school in Virginia Beach for five years before moving to Orem, Utah where she taught in the Alpine School District (including Central Elementary in Pleasant Grove). She met Blaine Howell at a dance in Salt Lake City, Utah, and they married in 1978. They spent 42 years together before Blaine passed away in February 2020. They enjoyed traveling, winters in Yuma, AZ, dancing, and spending time with their families. Elaine had a magnetic personality and young people especially gravitated toward her. She had a sharp sense of humor, even after losing much of her eyesight and hearing. She and Blaine took great pride in their families (especially their grandchildren and great-grandchildren) and faithfully maintained a bulletin board with their most recent pictures. She enjoyed tap dancing, oil painting (especially winter scenes), hunting for the perfect shade of lipstick and a good perm. Elaine was loved dearly by her children and maintained a close relationship with each of them. She was the cheerleader of her family, celebrating everyone's achievements, which is evident by the many scrapbooks filled with newspaper clippings, announcements, photos of celebrations and handwritten notes. She is survived by her four children, Jim (Maggie) Smith, Chris Smith, Ron (Amy) Smith and Eileen (Richard) Chamberland; her 14 grandchildren, Jennifer (Evan) Knight, Ben (Rachel) Smith, Alison (Travis) Fox, Mooey (Steve) Sordo, Aaron (Alex) Smith, Linwood (Leslie) Smith, Anthony (Renee) Smith, Lori (Nat) Puffer, Caitlin (Nick) Douris, Peter Chamberland, Ashleigh Chamberland, Ellie Chamberland, Katie (Jon) Priest and Meri Chamberland; her 25 (and counting) great-grandchildren, including four great-granddaughters named after her; and all of Blaine's children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A viewing will be held for family and friends Tuesday evening, April 20, 2021 from 6:30 - 8:00 pm at Olpin Family Mortuary, 494 South 300 East, Pleasant Grove. Interment will be in the Pleasant Grove City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.olpinmortuary.com.