Elayne Hallstrom, age 82, a resident of Alton, NH passed away surrounded by love after a long and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

Born December 12, 1942 in Bronx, New York, the daughter of Stanley and Irene, she was a graduate of Dumont High School, Class of 1960, in Dumont, New Jersey, where she lived with her family since age seven. She was a wonderful student and the captain of her majorette team. She married Robert E. Hallstrom on September 2,1962 and was a graduate of Patterson State College, Class of 1964. After college, she stayed in Dumont and worked as a second grade school teacher for 25 years at Selzer School.

She enjoyed teaching in her community and appreciated having holidays and summers off to spend with her daughters and husband, camping up and down the East Coast—until she fell in love with New Hampshire, particularly the Lakes Region. Eventually, she and her husband built a house on Lake Winnipesaukee in Alton, NH, where they retired to be close to their daughters and growing families in 1990.

In retirement, Elayne enjoyed tending to her gardens and plants, shopping for a good deal, spending time with family, and winning nearly every contest she entered. She loved playing cards, watching Nascar and football, meticulously matching her jewelry to her outfits, swimming and floating in the lake, and working on craft projects—most recently making jewelry. She also took great joy in decorating her home to the max for every holiday, especially Christmas. She was a kind, caring, and helpful friend who enjoyed being in touch with her friends from the lake, New Jersey, and Cocoa Beach, where she spent seven winters.

She will be deeply missed by her 2 daughters: Christine & husband Timothy Steuer of Laconia, Cynthia & husband Richard "Rick" Finethy of Alton, 4 grandchildren: Kevin Steuer & Erik Steuer, Ashley (Finethy) Wheeler & Richard "Ricky" Finethy, III, 2 great grandchildren: Declan Steuer & William R. Wheeler.  She was predeceased by her husband Robert and brother Thomas.

A private Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, April 29 at Peaslee Alton Funeral Home, 12 School Street, Alton, NH. Interment will follow at New Riverside Cemetery in Alton.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Granite VNA Hospice House at 240 Pleasant St. Concord NH 03301 for their caring and compassionate work. Or you can listen to your favorite Elvis song and enjoy a mudslide or strawberry daiquiri with a side of good memories.