Elaine Ortell Barrett

Elaine Ortell Barrett 1925-2023 Elaine Barrett was the beloved daughter of late Joseph and Clara Ortell (nee Sinnott), beloved cousin of Robert Frainey and the late Thomas Frainey. She was a loving step-mom to daughters Elizabeth Ganitopoulos and Katharine Jacobson. She passed away peacefully on October 20, 2023 at age 98. Elaine was born, raised and educated in Chicago. She had a very happy childhood and enjoyed going to baseball games, museums, the library and parties! At a very young age Elaine took a dance class that led to a life-long passion for dancing from ballet, tap, up to salsa and hip hop. She was a professional dancer until her mid 20’s. Elaine then put her college education to work and began her career as an executive secretary. She was very organized and detailed oriented. Her spreadsheets were impeccable until age 97 when she started to miss some expenses! When Elaine made a friend, she stayed in touch with them for life. She was always reaching out either by phone, mailing a card or best of all, having a “scalding hot” cup of tea with them. At age 89 she discovered the computer and began to send daily emails! She remembered birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, baptisms and the array of various holiday cards. As her friends from school passed away, the friends’ children stayed in touch with Elaine. In her 60’s, Elaine moved to a home on a cul-de-sac that brought a new and a younger set of friends. Elaine was delighted to get to know the families, it helped her stay young at heart! Lifelong connections speaks volumes of her sincere interest, kindness and love she had for her family and friends. She started each day reading the Chicago Tribune cover to cover, starting with the sports pages. At age 89 she learned to use a PC and was thrilled to use the internet. She loved to watch golf tournaments, ice hockey, football and baseball. She was very well read and could speak on many topics, especially current events. She enjoyed all kinds of music from Ellington to the Beatles. If there was a game of “Name That Tune”, she would win every time! She loved to have fun. In 1957, having read about a new restaurant coming to Des Plaines, she got a few of the gals from the office to go with her to check it out. They went to the opening day of a place called McDonalds. They had wonderful burgers, fries and milkshakes. For Elaine it was “love at first bite,” became a shareholder and ate there until the end of her life. It would be fitting that any memorial contribution be made to: Ronald McDonald House 26345 Network Place Chicago, IL 60673-1263 A chapel service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at Ascension Cemetery in Libertyville. Arrangements by Burnett-Dane Funeral Home in Libertyville. For info: 847-362-3009 or share a memory at www.burnettdane.com.

Elaine Ortell Barrett

August 10, 1925 - October 20, 2023