Obituary for Elaina Mary Renfrew (Pelkey)
Elaina Mary (Pelkey) Renfrew
October 31, 2020
Elaina Mary (Pelkey) Renfrew passed away at age 42 on October 31, 2020 after a long, hard, courageous battle with cancer. She went peacefully, surrounded by those closest to her heart. Elaina was born on November 16, 1977 in Syracuse, N.Y. A graduate of Phoenix Central Schools, she was active in many organizations. From many years in marching band, with two years as drum major, to concert, jazz and pit band, all county and all state bands and many other leadership programs her love for music was obvious to us all. Many will remember her caring, kind, friendly, selfless, beautiful personality shining through her smile.
She attended SUNY Fredonia, and SUNY Oswego where she majored in Music Education and Music Therapy, receiving two Master’s degrees including one in Special Education and the other Music Education as well as an Administrative (CAS) in Education. All things she was highly passionate about throughout her life. After college those passions brought Elaina to a rewarding career as a music and chorus teacher for the Syracuse City School District, Hannibal Central Schools, North Syracuse Central Schools and Mexico Central Schools. She also worked as a Special Education teacher at Main Street School in the North Syracuse District. Elaina even spent time as an Administrator as the Coordinator of Educational Programming at OCM BOCES for a few years before returning to teaching. Throughout all those years, many students and teachers benefited from her knowledge and enthusiasm. She brought her hard working ethic, her love for people and children, and attention to detail to all the positions she held.
On July 22, 2000, Elaina married her high school sweetheart, Keith Renfrew. Together the couple have raised three beautiful children – Aubrianna, a freshman at Keuka College, Keaton, a senior and Mason, a freshman at Phoenix Central Schools. Many pets, especially her dogs, have been loving members of the family over the years. Elaina was an active parent, lending a hand to anyone and anything that needed help, from the Phoenix Chorus and Drama Boosters, the Phoenix Winterguard to her latest role as the Vice President of the Phoenix Band Boosters. Elaina also was a great supporter of various autism organizations like R.E.S.A. and F.E.A.T. in the community and worked tirelessly to improve opportunities for autistic individuals.
Elaina is survived by her loving husband Keith, her children Aubrianna, Keaton, and Mason; her parents Susan and Robert Grenyo; her sister Tiffany Zacholl; her in-laws Gordon and Anna Renfrew; sister-in-law Sara Renfrew; and nephews Julian and Samuel Zacholl. She was predeceased by her natural father, Kenneth Pelkey, in 2016.
Calling hours will be Friday 11/6 from 4-7 PM at the Allanson-Glanville-Tappan Funeral Home, 431 Main Street, Phoenix, NY with the funeral immediately following at the funeral home. A celebration of Elaina’s life will be held on Saturday 11/7 from noon to 6 PM at the CNY Rod and Gun Club at 182 Peter Scott Road in Pennellville N.Y.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a college fund for her three children via Venmo, @Keith-Renfrew, or PayPal, https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/elainarenfrewcancer
October 31, 2020
Elaina Mary (Pelkey) Renfrew passed away at age 42 on October 31, 2020 after a long, hard, courageous battle with cancer. She went peacefully, surrounded by those closest to her heart. Elaina was born on November 16, 1977 in Syracuse, N.Y. A graduate of Phoenix Central Schools, she was active in many organizations. From many years in marching band, with two years as drum major, to concert, jazz and pit band, all county and all state bands and many other leadership programs her love for music was obvious to us all. Many will remember her caring, kind, friendly, selfless, beautiful personality shining through her smile.
She attended SUNY Fredonia, and SUNY Oswego where she majored in Music Education and Music Therapy, receiving two Master’s degrees including one in Special Education and the other Music Education as well as an Administrative (CAS) in Education. All things she was highly passionate about throughout her life. After college those passions brought Elaina to a rewarding career as a music and chorus teacher for the Syracuse City School District, Hannibal Central Schools, North Syracuse Central Schools and Mexico Central Schools. She also worked as a Special Education teacher at Main Street School in the North Syracuse District. Elaina even spent time as an Administrator as the Coordinator of Educational Programming at OCM BOCES for a few years before returning to teaching. Throughout all those years, many students and teachers benefited from her knowledge and enthusiasm. She brought her hard working ethic, her love for people and children, and attention to detail to all the positions she held.
On July 22, 2000, Elaina married her high school sweetheart, Keith Renfrew. Together the couple have raised three beautiful children – Aubrianna, a freshman at Keuka College, Keaton, a senior and Mason, a freshman at Phoenix Central Schools. Many pets, especially her dogs, have been loving members of the family over the years. Elaina was an active parent, lending a hand to anyone and anything that needed help, from the Phoenix Chorus and Drama Boosters, the Phoenix Winterguard to her latest role as the Vice President of the Phoenix Band Boosters. Elaina also was a great supporter of various autism organizations like R.E.S.A. and F.E.A.T. in the community and worked tirelessly to improve opportunities for autistic individuals.
Elaina is survived by her loving husband Keith, her children Aubrianna, Keaton, and Mason; her parents Susan and Robert Grenyo; her sister Tiffany Zacholl; her in-laws Gordon and Anna Renfrew; sister-in-law Sara Renfrew; and nephews Julian and Samuel Zacholl. She was predeceased by her natural father, Kenneth Pelkey, in 2016.
Calling hours will be Friday 11/6 from 4-7 PM at the Allanson-Glanville-Tappan Funeral Home, 431 Main Street, Phoenix, NY with the funeral immediately following at the funeral home. A celebration of Elaina’s life will be held on Saturday 11/7 from noon to 6 PM at the CNY Rod and Gun Club at 182 Peter Scott Road in Pennellville N.Y.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a college fund for her three children via Venmo, @Keith-Renfrew, or PayPal, https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/elainarenfrewcancer