Elaine Gabrielson Passed Away after a Year-Long Journey with Cancer

Posted On: Tuesday, February 19, 2013

On Sunday morning in her home in Blackstone, long-time Dream Factory Community member, Elaine Gabrielson, passed away after a year-long journey with cancer.

She served on the Leadership Development Team since the beginning and was a wonderfully positive force in shaping this community. Originally, she joined as the Marketing Manager of 1-800-GOT Junk, and when she got laid off, launched Merinda Designs where she designed beautiful jewelry and scarves. Elaine was an avid bead shopper, and on one her buying sprees, met the woman who designed the beads for the Ben Speaks bracelets, and was instrumental in their creation. Those bracelets have raised thousands of dollars for that worthy cause. She also volunteered her New Hampshire home several times, as a silent auction offering, so several of us could have a weekend retreat and Ben Speaks could earn extra money for their programs.

Elaine found her calling when she organized and managed our Dream Factory Collaborative, so her fellow crafts people could have an opportunity to sell their creations at our events. Because of her marketing background, she took on educating members and organizing opportunities inside and outside the community.

That is what she did, but it doesn’t even touch who she was. Elaine was one of the most selfless people around. Her concern was always with others–how they felt, how they were doing, or how she could help them. I know part of her upset with her cancer, is that she couldn’t take care of others like she was used to. It was hard for her to have people come to visit and feel that she had nothing to offer. Hopefully, through this journey, she realized that that wasn’t true. Her bravery, love and true interest always shone through.

Elaine loved this community, what it stood for, and helped create it. Her impact will be felt forever.