Elaine McEachern, 80, a long time Bedford resident died peacefully at her home, on Mother's Day, after battling a long illness. She was surrounded by her family.

Elaine was born on New Year's Day 1938 in Dorchester, Massachusetts, part of St Margaret's Parish. She was the daughter of the late Richard Marnell and Madeline (Quinn).

She met her husband Paul at age 13 while playing in a school yard off Harvest Terrace. After graduating from Monsignor Ryan Memorial High School in 1955, Elaine worked for the Boston Edison Company until marrying Paul in 1959. For 20 years, Elaine was a proud Air Force wife, which allowed Paul and Elaine to travel the world together. She loved Alaska, Europe and Florida, but her favorite to visit was Hawaii. Once settled in Bedford, her forever home, and sending her children off to college, she worked for Eastern Enterprises, until retiring in the late 1990s.

Elaine was a wonderful mother to her four children and grandmother to her three grandchildren. She was the eldest of five siblings, and the matriarch of the Marnell family, best known for hosting the large family Christmas Eve gatherings. Elaine and her family also spent many summers in the pink "A-Frame" at Old Silver Beach in Falmouth, MA as part of the infamous cottage club.

She is survived by her husband, Col. Paul T McEachern, four children and their spouses, Paul R. McEachern and Laurent Glesener of Bech-Kleinmacher, Luxembourg, Michael McEachern and Denise McGovern of Milford, MA, Elaine and Phil Cadwallader of Littleton, MA, and Janice Fisher, Bedford, MA. Elaine had three granddaughters Dot Fisher, Erin Cadwallader, and Kate Cadwallader. She is also survived by her four siblings: Janice Marnell of Hingham, MA, Richard and Janet Marnell of Quincy, MA, James Marnell and Gail Kenny of Falmouth, MA, and Lynn and Giro DeRosa of Marshfield, MA. and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be at the Bedford Funeral Home, 167 Great Rd., Bedford, on Thurs., May 17, from 3:30-7:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Michael's Church, 90 Concord Rd., Bedford, on Friday, May 18, at 10:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Elaine's memory to one of her many favorite charities: The Pine Street Inn , The Mary Knoll Fathers , or St. Jude Hospital for Children .