Obituary

In loving memory of Elaine Anne McClure Arazawa, who passed away on December 31, 2020. In her final days, Elaine was surrounded by her family and felt deeply loved and cared for.

Born in Sewickley, PA, Elaine was the daughter of David Barr McClure and Anne Bizic McClure. Elaine lived a full life, and in her last months she remained overwhelmingly grateful for the life she lived. She grew up surrounded by a large, close-knit family who helped shape her strong sense of community and creativity. She used their example in building her own family with her husband, Antonio Arazawa, whom she met after moving to Sao Paulo, Brazil, in the 1980s.

Elaine attended college in the Pittsburgh area, where she studied computer science and information technology. Early in her professional life, she was a central figure in helping companies implement computer technology at a time when such skills were uncommon. She served in a variety of roles over her career, consistently being recognized by her colleagues for her dedication and teamwork. Over the final decade of her career at the Hershey Company, she was especially appreciated by her colleagues.

Elaine's many hobbies often reflected her creativity and dedication to her community. She served as a soccer mom, a girl scout troop leader, a costume design volunteer for the Hershey Corallettes, and a member of the Middletown Piece Maker's Quilting Guild. Later in life, Elaine found joy in visiting Longwood Gardens and learning the art of floral design. Her expressions were inspired not only by the Longwood grounds she loved so much, but also her admiration for Dutch tulips and Japanese ikebana. In lieu of sending flowers, Elaine wished that her friends and family visit Longwood Gardens so others may experience the same joy that she did there (or donate if visiting is not possible). https://longwoodgardens.org/support/honor-and-memorial-gifts

Elaine is survived by her husband, Antonio Arazawa; her three children and their partners, David Arazawa and his fiancé, Jessica Bermudez; Alex Arazawa and his wife, Emily Arazawa; and Katherine Arazawa and her partner, Ben Seal; her stepson and his wife, Sidney and Lillian Arazawa, and their children, Melissa and Leonardo; and her brother and sister-in-law, David and Mary McClure.