Elaine Messore Colbert

Elaine Messore Colbert passed away on January 14, 2026, in Burnet, Texas, at the age of 88.

Elaine was born on February 23, 1937. She spent her early years in LeRoy, New York, where she graduated from LeRoy High School in 1955. She went on to attend Nazareth College in Rochester, graduating in 1959 with a nursing degree. After college, she moved to Washington, DC, where she met Edward Paul Colbert, Jr. They married in 1965 and eventually settled in Mattoon, Illinois, and raised their family.

As a devoted Catholic, Elaine was an active member of Immaculate Conception Parish, where her faith guided her daily life and decisions. She was also deeply committed to the Pro-Life movement and proudly supported Cole’s County Right to Life, living her beliefs with conviction and compassion.

Elaine was a lifelong and avid thrifter, finding immense joy in discovering unique treasures and sharing them with friends and family. She enjoyed gardening, flowers, birds, and developing new healthy recipes. She spent her life helping people, as a nurse, as a mother, and as a caring friend.

An artist at heart, Elaine always had art books close at hand, and was gifted at creating imaginative projects that let her share her love of art as she raised her family. She had a warm heart, and welcomed neighborhood children into these creative adventures as if they were her own. 

She enjoyed spending time with longtime friends and always looked forward to sharing conversation and laughter with her coffee group. She was a woman who valued her independence and an unhurried approach to life. 

Her life was all about family and friends, and she will be greatly missed by all that knew her. Elaine’s ability to talk with anyone, her infectious laugh and her sense of fun touched many lives, and her memory will live on through their stories of time spent with her.

She is survived by her eleven children: Maura Fujieh; Edward “Mac” (Pam) Colbert; Anique Colbert; Antonina Colbert; Menigne Colbert; Angela (Mark) Merchant; Elizabeth Colbert; David Colbert; Teresa (Julio) Maldonado; Julian Colbert; and Caritas Colbert. She is also survived by her five grandchildren, Elisa Colbert, Henry and Alex Merchant, and Cole and Miriam Maldonado, as well as her two siblings, Gene Messore and Mary Margaret O’Geen. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Alfred, her husband, and her beloved dog, Murphy.

Private arrangements are being planned by the family to celebrate her life.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Catholic Charities

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Elaine Messore Colbert, please visit our floral store.