Elaine Claire Athens

Elaine Claire Athens, age 82, passed away peacefully on December 27, 2025. Born on April 4, 1943, Elaine lived her early life in Queens, New York before moving to Monroe, New York. There she served as an ESL teaching assistant in the Monroe-Woodbury school system before retiring to North Carolina in 2014.

Elaine was a compassionate Christian woman. As a mother, grandmother, teacher and friend, she always had a smile, words of encouragement and a listening ear. She was a creative homemaker, deeply loved her family, and most valued conversation and connection. Elaine practiced her faith and values with her students, where she treated them with patience and empathy, and ensured each of them knew they belonged.

Elaine is survived by her daughters Carrie Bartek and Michele Kroemer; son Michael Stock; sons-in-law Louis Bartek III and Glen Kroemer; daughter-in-law Nicole Stock; and her beloved grandchildren Caleb and his wife Kirsty, Westley, Kelsey, Lauren, Charlotte, and Matthew.

The family extends sincere gratitude to the many compassionate caregivers and friends who have watched over her, most recently those at Hillcrest Raleigh, whose kindness, professionalism, and attentive care provided comfort and dignity to Elaine in her final days.

A funeral service will be held on January 2 at 10:30AM at Faith Community Church in Garner, NC. In lieu of flowers, the family invites those who wish to honor Elaine's memory to do so through acts of kindness and prayer. Donations can also be made to the Wake Technical Community College Foundation or the Central Piedmont Community College Foundation  in memory of Elaine's service to education.