Saratoga Springs – Elaine “Tip” Ingmire, after a long and arduous battle with Alzheimer’s, passed quietly on Thursday, May 1, 2008 at Maplewood Manor. Born in Saratoga Springs on Jan. 14, 1922 to the late Orel W. and Mary Cherry Blackwood, she was married to Haskell W. “Skip” Ingmire on Feb. 28, 1942 in Saratoga Springs. Elaine was a sixth generation Saratoga County resident with family roots stretching back to the late 18th century in the Hadley/Luzerne area. She descends from one Revolutionary War patriot soldier and her Great-grandfather, George N. Blackwood, was a member of the 115th New York Vols. during the Civil War.

Maintaining her lifelong devotion to her husband and children, Elaine remained focused on the daily responsibilities of motherhood and took great pride in the accomplishments of her family.

She was challenged by a few of life’s most difficult situations, yet her bedrock foundation of love of family was never eroded. She maintained a staunchly determined, independent, tenacious persona which at times was challenging to her family and friends, but her consistency in dealing with the issues of the times during her role as mother, wife or friend, never gave one wonder where she stood.

Elaine volunteered at various charities during her years in Saratoga Springs, the most rewarding being an early and participating member of the Saratoga Hospital Flower and Fruit Mission. She enjoyed golf and skiing and spent untold hours enchanted by her son Mark’s wonderful piano playing. Elaine also was an avid duplicate bridge player close to achieving Life Master status, albeit unfortunately confronted with the early stages of her disease, didn’t achieve her goal.

She was predeceased by her parents, her loving husband Skip, who passed away on Nov. 1, 2007 and with whom she shared 65 years of marriage, her son Bruce E. Ingmire and her sister Alma Blackwood Burger. 

Survivors include her son, David B. (Mollie Hammond) Ingmire of Atlanta, GA, Lance W. (Susan Schlichting) Ingmire of Saratoga and Mark Ingmire of Miami; her grandchildren, David B. (Kristen) Ingmire of Atlanta, Christina Ingmire of London, Scott G. (Allison Gugnacki) Ingmire of Oneida, NY and Kelsey M. (John) McCormick of N. Chelmsford, MA; six great grandchildren, Madeline Ingmire, Gabrielle Ingmire and Gracie Ingmire of Atlanta, Spencer Ingmire and Lily Elaine Ingmire of Oneida, NY and Kayla R. Ingmire of N. Chelmsford; one sister, June Blackwood Veitch and eight nieces and nephews in the Veitch and Burger families.

Relatives and friends may call from 9:30 to 11am Saturday, May 10, 2008 at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs, followed by a service at 11:30 a.m. Burial will follow in Greenridge Cemetery on Lincoln Ave.

Memorials may be made in her name to the Flower and Fruit Mission of Saratoga Hospital.