Elaine Margaret (Peatfield) Patnode
December 12, 1933 ~ September 13, 2026
On September 13, 2026 Elaine passed away in her sleep at home in Taylorsville. 
Elaine was born in Yonkers, New York on December 12, 1933, to Ernest and Bertha Peatfield. She graduated from West Hempstead High School in 1951. She attended St. Lawrence University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and graduating magna cum laude in 1955. After graduation she went to work for General Electric. In December 1955 she married her college sweetheart, Lt. Clarence (Bud) Albert Patnode Jr. After his 16 months of service in Korea, the Army sent them to Texas and Elaine started her unexpected new career as an Army wife.
Elaine managed the family side of Bud’s Army career, moving the family 11 times to 10 different states. She was active in the local Officers’ Wives Clubs and took her social duties very seriously as Bud’s career advanced. An avid gardener, roses were her favorite flowers. Elaine was a skilled seamstress, making some of her own clothes as well as outfits and costumes for her children. 
Elaine and Bud’s life changed when he retired from active service in 1980 and took a job in Salt Lake City, allowing them to put down roots and form community. They immediately joined the Salt Lake City Friends Unlimited Club and a ballroom dance club. Elaine and Bud loved skiing, hiking, bicycling, ballroom dancing and square dancing. She loved to travel and go on cruises. After she learned Wright Patterson Mahjong, she set about teaching others, too. Elaine joined PEO and enjoyed friendship and philanthropy in one group. She and Bud were longtime members of Saint Thomas More Parish and volunteered in various capacities. 
She is survived by her children Michelle Fannon of Silver Spring, Maryland and Paul Patnode of Glenarden, Maryland, as well as two granddaughters and one great-grandson. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Bud. 
Visitation will be held on Monday, September 21, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at Saint Thomas More Catholic Church, 3015 E. Creek Road, Cottonwood Heights. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Entombment in the mausoleum will take place at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 275 U Street, Salt Lake City at 12:45 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Best Friends Animal Society (https://bestfriends.org/).