Stanford Elaine

Elaine was my roommate for 2 years when she was working at Stanford, and I was a student there. I remember her energy and enthusiastic spirit, and her fondness for the music of Rich Mullins. I can hear her expressive voice and see her delicate hands moving as she talked. Tall and elegant, with long blonde hair. We lived in a second story apartment on Ravenswood Avenue in Menlo Park. She worked at the Hoover Tower, I think - worked in the same office as Condoleeza Rice, working on foreign affairs specifically with regard to Russia. I met her because she somehow found out about the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship group on campus, and for a couple of years participated in that group.

She had been a percussionist, but felt like she needed to let that go in order to grow closer to God. She spent a lot of time on her BSF Bible study. She poured herself into whatever she did - even the housework, she tackled with vigor; she'd sweep through with the same energy and passion she spent on knowing God, on friendships, and on her work. I remember her striding around the apartment as she cleaned up, did dishes, or whatever. She was so meticulous about finances, she wanted the stamps and common bills shared to the penny. She was competent and responsible at her work, and people really appreciated her. She earned the opportunity to go on a work related research trip to Russia.

She always had a sensitivity and compassion for people who were hurting. There are certain expressions that are classic Elaine - when a situation felt awkward, she'd put her chin down, raise her eyebrows and say, "Okay..." She was a good listener when there were things going on in my life that I needed to talk about.

We went up to visit her parents on the Oregon Coast one weekend. The town had a 10 k fun run. We hadn't trained for it but decided to run it anyway. The route led down a steep hill to the harbor and then back up. We were passed by the front runners well before we got to the halfway mark. Other people remarked, "Should have trained, girls!" as they passed us by. We had to laugh at ourselves.

I will always recall the look on Elaine's face as she danced with Patrick on their wedding night. Her eyes closed, an almost worshipful, peaceful joy.

from Heather Bufford