Coffee and Chihuahuas

Elaine Chamberlain lived her life as an artist, a poet, an international traveler, teacher, nurse, counselor, pacifist, and a volunteer serving the poor in Central America and Mexico.

She was born in California and received degrees in fine arts from the University of Washington and the University of Oregon and a master’s degree in creative writing at the University at Buffalo. She worked first as an art teacher, and then taught creative writing at Erie Community College.

She travelled extensively, living for a time in Mexico, and then travelled throughout all of Latin America. Later in life, Elaine was captivated by the uniqueness of India and returned often.

She was motivated to become a nurse in her 50s after spending her summers volunteering at a remote hospital in Mexico. She raised money for supplies and for surgeries for refugee children displaced by civil war.

But as a member of Buffalo Meeting, Elaine may best be remembered for her coffee and Chihuahuas. Before there was a refreshments team, it was Elaine who prepared the coffee and laid out treats at the end of every Meeting for Worship. At 11:25, she would rise and begin her service to our Friends.

Along with her husband, Ted Dziekonski, Elaine memorably attended every Meeting with two or three of her beloved Chihuahuas. The dogs would scamper amidst the legs of the attendees and then settle on Elaine’s and Ted’s laps—often under Elaine’s poncho—during the silence of the gathering.

A well-attended memorial service was held for Elaine on April 12 at the Orchard Park Meeting House.