Elaine H. Daniels, 81, of Wildwood, FL, died peacefully Saturday, June 6, 2026. Born in Buffalo, NY, on August 16, 1944, she was the daughter of the late Albert and Irene (nee Myrick) Hartwig. She grew up in Clarence, New York.

Elaine traveled to Columbia as an exchange student in her senior year of high school, then attended Hartwick College in Oneonta, NY, and majored in Spanish. She raised three children in Roxbury, NY. Elaine moved to Saratoga, NY, and later to South Florida. She ended up finding her place in The Villages, where she spent many happy years. Recently, Elaine relocated and found her new home at American House Independent Living in Wildwood, FL, where the residents and staff became her family.

Well into middle age, Elaine attended Broward County Community College, earning her associate degree in accounting. She found her niche working as an accountant in the vault at Home Depot for over 20 years. There, she would always joke, she “bled orange.”

Elaine enjoyed a variety of pastimes, which included growing beautiful orchids, baking (she made the best chocolate chip cookies ever!), doing needlepoint and crocheting, playing bingo, reading, collecting dolls, clearance shopping, and doing Sudoku puzzles to keep her mind sharp. Most of all, Elaine enjoyed spending time with her wonderful friends and family.

Elaine is survived by her son, Mark Whittaker (Lori) of Broomall, PA; and daughters, Lisa Martin and Laura Gregory (James), both of Oneonta, NY. She is also survived by her sister Sharon Milne (John) of Schenectady, NY; brother Lynn “Lee” Hartwig (Janice) of West Chester, PA; sister Debbie Stewart (Robert) of Stockbridge, GA; grandchildren Emily Martin, Garrett Martin (Logan), Matthew Whittaker (Julia), Kyle Martin (Samantha), Diana Wagner (Jason), Tyler Gregory, and Brandon Gregory; and her first great-grandchild, Carson Whittaker. Elaine is also survived by several nephews and a niece.

Elaine’s family would like to give special thanks to her sister, Debbie, for her unwavering support and numerous trips to Florida; and to her cherished friend, Kathi Dempsey, who went above and beyond to help her in recent years.

Elaine was predeceased by her parents, her sister Carole Schroeder, and her nephew Michael Stewart.

A celebration of life will occur at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, an organization that was close to Elaine’s heart, or to the Wounded Warrior Project Foundation.