Elaine Marie Maurer

In Loving Memory of Elaine Marie Maurer

June 4, 1941 – October 25, 2026

A Life Devoted to Family, Education, and Encouraging Others

Elaine Marie Maurer (DeSimone), affectionately known from early on as Lonnie, was born on June 4, 1941, to Thomas and Mary DeSimone and grew up in Gloversville, New York. Her family roots included Italian and Czechoslovakian relatives in Gloversville, a hometown she enjoyed returning to throughout her life. From an early age, Elaine demonstrated a love of learning, excelling academically while actively participating as a cheerleader and enjoying song and dance.

Her passion for education led her to SUNY Oswego (then Oswego State Teachers College) in Oswego, New York, where she graduated in 1963. It was there that she met her beloved husband, Wesley L. Maurer. During their college years, Elaine belonged to Alpha Sigma Chi and Wesley to Psi Phi Gamma. Elaine went on to earn a master’s degree in reading education, and built a remarkable 33-year career in elementary education.

Throughout her teaching career, Elaine taught every grade level from kindergarten through sixth grade. She later specialized in phonics and reading instruction, helping children who struggled with reading discover confidence and success in the classroom. She taught at several schools in the Oswego area, including Fitzhugh Park, Kingsford Park, Riley, Minetto Elementary School, and Leighton Elementary School. Early in her career, she was among the pioneer teachers introducing the open-classroom approach to kindergarten education at Fitzhugh Park.

Elaine was deeply respected by her fellow teachers and school administrators; however, her greatest professional accomplishment was the lasting impact she had on her students.

To Elaine, her students were never simply names on a classroom roster. They were children she cared about as though they were her own. She celebrated their achievements, remembered their personalities, and continued sharing stories about them throughout her life. Even in her final days, she recalled former students with remarkable affection and pride.

To anyone reading this who was fortunate enough to have Mrs. Maurer as a teacher: Please know that you were loved, remembered, and celebrated long after you left her classroom.

After retiring from teaching in 1993, Elaine enjoyed a new chapter of life spent between Scottsdale, Arizona, and Oswego, New York, maintaining cherished connections to both communities.

Elaine treasured life’s simple daily pleasures: sunsets at her summer homes at Southwick and Burt’s Point (west of Rudy’s), trips to Wade’s, Maria’s, and Canale’s with Wes, family, and friends, and the daily conversations and time spent with her children, which brought her tremendous happiness.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Elaine’s greatest joy was her family.

She was a devoted wife, a loving mother to her son Scott Maurer and daughter Paige Maurer Wheeler, and the family’s most enthusiastic cheerleader. Whether attending sporting events, encouraging her children’s pursuits, or celebrating their accomplishments, Elaine was always there. She was a generous listener to all, offering her time, attention, and an open heart to family, friends, students, and anyone who needed to be heard. Throughout their athletic careers, from childhood through college, Elaine was always there to cheer on her children, Scott and Paige. Whether they were on the field, rink, court, or gymnasium floor, she was their most devoted supporter.She was equally enthusiastic about supporting her husband, Wesley, throughout his years as both a soccer player and coach. Her love of sports extended into the community, where she was a longtime champion for Oswego Youth Soccer and youth hockey.

Her grandchildren, Scott Wheeler and Ashten (Wheeler) Murrill, held an especially joyful place in her heart. Elaine was thrilled with them, and they were equally thrilled with her. She loved attending their sporting events, cheering them on, talking with them regularly, and sharing cherished memories with each of them.

She was also an essential part of the family’s property enterprise, serving as its business manager and quietly managing the countless behind-the-scenes responsibilities that kept everything running smoothly. She was the steady, dependable presence who handled the details that others often overlooked.

Elaine loved sports, a passion she shared with her family. A devoted professional sports fan, she followed her favorite teams and players with enthusiasm. She especially enjoyed NBA basketball, cheering for the Phoenix Suns and Oklahoma City Thunder, as well as Grand Canyon basketball. She also enjoyed football, particularly the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs.

But more than any particular team, Elaine loved having someone to cheer for.

That was simply who she was.

Whether it was a student learning to read, her children competing in sports, a grandchild on the field, a friend pursuing a dream, or a favorite athlete taking the court, Elaine found genuine happiness in others' success.

She was a caring mother, a devoted wife, a trusted friend, a wonderful traveling companion and co-pilot, and a lifelong encourager.

A continued celebration of Elaine’s life has been arranged for June 4th, 2027, at Nelson Funeral Home (4:00 pm – 6:00 pm), Oswego, New York, as family and friends gather to honor her memory around what would have been her 86th birthday. Additional details will be shared as arrangements are finalized.

And when we look toward a sunset or feel the warmth of sunlight, we will see Elaine there—in the light that gathers around us and the warmth that stays. She was our family’s guiding light, and in every sunset and every ray of sunlight, her love will continue to lead us home.

Elaine’s legacy lives on not only in the family she loved so dearly, but also in the countless lives she touched, the students she inspired, and the people fortunate enough to have her cheering them on. She will be dearly missed.