Elaine Helen Stiff passed away Saturday, October 12, 2019 in the care of Hospice of Northwest Ohio. She
was 84.
Elaine was born to William Grady and Helen (Church) Keck on July 31, 1935, the 2nd of three children. She
grew up in Toledo and married the love of her life, Norman Stiff, on January 16, 1954. Norman preceded
her in death in 2010 and they are now reunited in paradise for all time.
Their union produced four daughters, and Elaine was a devoted wife, mother and homemaker during their
formative years. As they grew, Elaine took a position demonstrating food samples at Churchill’s, House
of Meats and Sam’s Club, where they could count on her to sell the product out every time!
She was also an accomplished seamstress and a master hand quilter. The many quilts that she produced over
the years were given as wedding gifts to her grandchildren and daughters and will be treasured. She also
loved to bake and was known as “the cookie lady,” often treating the township police and her friends at
Belle Tire with homemade goodies.
When Elaine wasn’t quilting, she was singing (sometimes both at once!). She loved music, having sung from
an early age with her parents and siblings. She was a life-long choir member at Zoar Lutheran as well as
a soloist, and her rich alto voice will be missed. The heavenly chorus just got a good one!
Elaine was preceded in death by her husband, Norman Stiff; both siblings, Gerald Keck and Nadine Glynn;
as well as two daughters, Terrie Fosgate and Juanita Damon.
She leaves to treasure her memory two daughters, Norma (Hugh-deceased) Snyder and LeAnn (Russell) Baker;
grandchildren, Shawn (Ashley) Fosgate, Christy Fosgate, Jessica (Chet) St. John, Lisa (Chris) Lawson,
Brian (Amy) Baker, Andrea Baker and James (Jennifer) Baker, Shannon Klar, and Jason Damon. She was also
blessed with 14 great-grandchildren, and just recently one great-great granddaughter.
Services for Elaine will be held at Zoar Lutheran Church, Perrysburg, Ohio on Wednesday, October 16, at
11 am. Services will be followed by a luncheon in the Family Life Center at the church.
Interment will be private at a later date.
The family would like to express our gratitude to Dr. Richard Paat and staff, Dr. ElGamal, St. Luke’s
Pulmonary Rehab staff, as well as the nurses at St. Luke’s and Hospice of Northwest Ohio for the
excellent care that Elaine received over the past year. You are all angels on Earth.
In lieu of flower, the family has requested that donations be given either to SCORE of FAT, an
organization comprised of physicians, nurses and technicians that respond to disasters and medical
crisis around the world, to provide medical care. (PO Box 715, Maumee, OH 43537); or Hospice of
Northwest Ohio.