Elaine Catherine Murdoch of East Boothbay, vibrant and healthy and fully enthusiastic about life, dearest best friend and beloved wife of 30 years to Ray Menard of East Boothbay, died unexpectedly, suddenly and blessedly, by all indications, with no suffering or pain, while in peaceful morning meditation in her home early Thursday morning, May 1, 2025.  

She was just five weeks into her 73rdyear. Elaine was born in Sudbury Massachusetts, but her Maine roots are deep and solid in history, inparticular inand around Round Pond, Bristol and other Midcoast communities as Elaine was kin to the Nicholses, Fossetts, Barretts and Richardsons, among others. Soon after college she moved to the Midcoast and this forever after was “home” no matter where she lived elsewhere.  

Elaine’s professional and personal vocation was design and space planning to which she brought mastery, refinement, comfort and beauty to the homes of clients throughout the Maine, New England and Moscow, Russia too. Kitchens and baths were her specialty but that only begins to touch upon her gifts of design, artistry, inspiration and skill to bring beauty to everything she set her mind to. Her play times were spent on the water sailing and sailing, gardening, walking the woods through all seasons, hiking the trails searching for mushrooms, imagery, and any secret that nature might reveal to her observant eye.  

Recently, in her semi-retirement, Elaine the historian emerged as she immersed herself in her family and community history, genealogy and artifacts which led her to guide at the Nickels-Sortwell House and Castle Tucker in Wiscasset and to collaborate on a photo exhibit at the Old Bristol Historical Society last summer, featuring photos scanned from glass plates taken by one of Elaine’s great aunts in the Nichols family, in the first decade of the 1900s. Elaine was predeceased by her parents and her only sibling, Brother Glenn.  

She is survived by her husband Ray, cousins, nieces and nephews and a wealth of stunned and caring friends. The suddenness and finality of her death has been crushing but though bereft, we are not crumbled. Her spirit will live and thrive in all of us. An Elaine Murdoch memorial party will take place later this summer at a time and place to be announced. Donations, gifts - not her style - rather she would wish you to stay involved and to be grateful, merciful, understanding, and loving, as your default in this world. 

Arrangements are entrusted to Hall Funeral Home and Crematory, 975 Wiscasset Road, Boothbay.  Condolences may be shared with the family at www.hallfuneralhomes.com