Obituary of Elaine Christo Rexford

Elaine C. Rexford, 72, was born February 25, 1947 in the Bronx, NY and moved to Vero Beach, FL in 1984. She and her husband Mikel moved to The Masonic Home in St. Petersburg, FL in 2014. She is survived by her sons James (Julie) Mitchell, grandsons Zachary and Tyler of Loveland, OH, John (Katherine) Mitchell, grandsons William and Johnny of Franklin Square, NY, stepson Richard (Crystal) Rexford, grandchildren Jacob, Jordan, Jennifer (Michael) McCombs and their daughter Elizabeth, of Vero Beach, FL and sister Marion (Anthony) Karavias of Ronkonkoma, NY and niece Ann (Bill) Southard and nephew John (Dana) Karavias and children.

She was predeceased by her husband Mikel, stepson Chad and her parents John and Libby Soter.

Elaine was a certified court reporter, paralegal and legal secretary for over 30 years in NY and FL. She was a member of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox church, in Fort Pierce, FL for over twenty-seven years. Elaine is a Past Grand Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star Masonic Lodge Chapter No 135 in Vero Beach, FL, and member of the Optimist Club.

Elaine enjoyed singing and played multiple instruments but her greatest love was the piano, having performed at Carnegie Hall when she was a young girl. She was the head organist at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and also sang in the choir. She regularly played the piano and organ at the Masonic Home, often putting on holiday concerts for the staff and residents or just sitting outside her room playing classical, jazz and Doo-Wop.

Elaine was a loving mom, mother-in-law and Yia Yia (grandmother in Greek) to her family. She enjoyed cooking for large groups and took great pride in her Greek delicacies. Nicknamed "The Greek Princess", she loved to dance and celebrate her Greek heritage. Her smile and laugh was contagious, her story telling was second to none, and she will be missed by all.

Visitation will be at Anderson-McQueen Funeral Home, 7820 38th Avenue North, St. Petersburg FL on Thursday March 21, 2019 at 10:00 am with services proceeding at 1:00 pm at St. Stefanos Greek Orthodox Church in St. Petersburg.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to The Masonic Home of Florida 3201 1st St. NE, Petersburg, Florida 33704.