Belgrade - With deep sadness we announce the death of Elaine Kathryn Wilder, 65. She passed away peacefully at home while sleeping, on July 25, 2007. Elaine was born in New York City, NY, on April 2, 1942. She was the daughter of Edward Z. Pichler and Kathryn Ann (Katsaras) Pichler. Elaine attended Mount Saint Mary?s Academy, in Newburgh, NY, where she joyfully sang for the school?s famous choir. Following her graduation in 1959, she attended Plattsburgh State Teachers College in Plattsburgh, NY, with the intention of becoming a teacher. However she was destined to follow another path. Elaine spent the next fifteen years raising three children, while living in New York, Florida, Connecticut, South Carolina, California, Alabama, and Washington state as the wife of a US Naval Officer. Throughout this period, she volunteered for the American Red Cross in various clinical and nursing assistant positions. She was deeply involved in the Red Cross Starlifter Program. Her duty was to meet US Military aircraft and assist wounded military personnel returning home from Vietnam. This assignment was one of the biggest challenges in her life. Elaine eventually found her way to Maine where she met and married the love of her life, Edward H. Wilder Jr. During her many years in Maine she found the quality of life she loved. She spent much of her time gardening, camping and cooking. No one went hungry and any plant blossomed in her care. She was blessed with the skill of pie making and was a master in the kitchen. In her daily travels, she was often heard humming arias and show tunes. She will be most fondly remembered by her ability to nurture those she loved most in her life, including her many cats, especially Mr P. Cat. Elaine?s love of learning was strong and followed her throughout her years of raising children. She took college and adult education courses whenever she had an opportunity, no matter where she was living. She studied everything from mushrooms of the Western forests to advanced math and eventually earned degrees with high distinction in Respiratory Therapy and Liberal Arts. She began working for the University of Maine as a tutor, eventually becoming the coordinator of tutoring services where she developed and implemented a peer tutoring program. She led the Cornerstone Program for students with disabilities. She was proud of her work there, as she inspired many students who felt the most challenged. Elaine also volunteered many hours for the Augusta Area Food Bank. Her love of nature was evident by her memberships in the National Audubon Society, Arbor Day Foundation and National Wildlife Federation. Elaine is survived by daughters, Kathryn Walker Norris and her husband Brian Norris, and Audrey Walker and her husband Kevin Holladay, and son, David Walker and his wife Kara (Tudman) Walker. She was also given unconditional love from five grandchildren, Rylan, Braydon, Lilia, Devin, and Gredel. Elaine is also survived by her brother Donald Pichler M.D., and her half sister Laura (Pichler) McKeta. Elaine was pre-deceased by her dear husband of 22 years, Edward H. Wilder Jr. Elaine?s generous spirit lived up to a quote by Stephen Grellet which she always carried with her. ?I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature let me do it now...for I shall not pass this way again.? There will be a private ceremony for family members. For all those who would like to come and honor Elaine, a public Memorial Reception will follow on Saturday August 11, at 4:00PM. This will be held at the Union Church in Belgrade Lakes with Pastor Bill Meyer officiating. The family requests, in lieu of flowers, please make contributions in her memory to either the Common Loon Protection Project of Maine Audubon Society, PO Box 6009, Falmouth, Maine 04105 or to the Augusta Area Food Bank, 9 Summer Street, Augusta, Maine 04330. Arrangements are in the care of Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home and Cremation Service, One Church St.