Elinor (Vogt) Tripp, 93, Worked in Georgetown Assessor’s Office

Elinor (Vogt) Tripp fondly remembered by her family as “quite possibly the world’s greatest wife, mother, mother-in-law and grandmother,” passed away April 15 at the age of 93. She was a long-time resident of Lawrence, Georgetown and Groveland.

Born in Lawrence in the roaring ‘20s, she was the younger, spitfire sister of Evelyn and Arlene. After graduating from Lawrence High School, Tripp attended business school. She always believed in hard work, and was proud of her long career, from her first job at a lunch counter (where she hated it so much she quit after a week) to a runner at Arlington Mills, to a secretary at RCA and finally the Georgetown Assessor’s Office. She hit pay dirt on a blind date and was married for 68 years. She was a mom of two, grandmother of five and great-grandmother of six.

In 1964, she sided with child No. 2 who wanted to watch “The Wonderful World of Disney” over child No. 1 who wanted to watch the Beatles debut on “The Ed Sullivan show.” Yai-Yai was a maker of exquisite mashed potatoes, cookies and hot dogs with baked beans, which she served every Saturday. She was an amateur organ and ukulele teacher. She was a serious contender for the world’s worst photographer, where each person was captured mid-bite and never looking at the camera. She was a loyal consumer of the Friendly’s Fish-a-ma-jig sandwich despite her grandchildren’s constant suggestions that she try the chicken fingers instead. Yai-Yai was a masterful wordsmith who could repeat any word or phrase backwards (Gnidgnod, nova gnillac). She was a dutiful washer of small faces, where the recipient could always choose to be left with a smile, a frown or a sideways glance from the scratchy washcloth. She was an impeccable housekeeper and picker-upper of every single acorn that ever fell in her yard. She was the faithful mailer of succinct, typed, weekly letters to her grandkids, that also included a $5 bill and carefully curated coupons and newspaper articles about irritable bowel syndrome, or the best brands of cat litter. She was the long-time driver of a turquoise Plymouth Reliant, a car that perfectly encapsulated who she was- practical, reliable, but with just enough flair to never be boring.

On the ship of life, she was the rudder: The calm and reassuring force whose presence would guide everything back into its rightful place. Her years of unfailing love and service to her family are reflected by the love and devotion they had for her until the end, especially Ken, her husband of 68 years, who uncomplainingly handled the duties of caregiver; juggling doctor visits, medicine administration and candy rationing with all the rigor and precision you would expect from a U.S. Marine. The family failed to carry out her often-voiced desire to “just take me out back and shoot me when I get old,” but we were glad she passed away peacefully and was able to enjoy many years of sitting in her den, watching the snow come down and smiling. She made this small corner of the world a better place for 93 years, and will be sorely missed.

Family and friends are welcome to attend a celebration of life on Sunday, April 29 from 2-4 p.m. at Nichols Village in Groveland.