Elaine Welles Hale, beloved Wife, Mother and Grandmother,
passed away peacefully on January 18, 2023 at Orlando
Regional Medical Center Hospital in Orlando Florida.
Known as just “E”, to many loved ones, Elaine was born to
William Harley Johnson and Norma (Vacek) Johnson, on
September 23, 1952 in Baltimore, Maryland. After the family
moved to Orlando, Elaine attended local schools including Pine
Hills Elementary, Lyman High School and Rollins College,
(Music).
Elaine told many stories of growing up with music, band camp,
and competitions, playing Trumpet,(not some Girlie instrument),
as her Dad had played in a bugle corps, and marching band in
the Military. Elaine excelled in distance swimming, and in later
life competed in Ultramarathon cycling events.
In the late 1970s, she trained as a ward secretary at Orange
Memorial Hospital in their newly created , ICU, then later moved
close to Florida Hospital, working in the Psychiatric inpatient
unit, and then Pediatrics. She met her future husband during
his Family Practice Residency training there.
Elaine is survived by youngest son Robert, his wife Nira,
grandson Dustin, and husband Steven. William, their oldest
son, predeceased her, as well as both of her parents.
Mother Theresa said: “Give your hands to serve and your heart
to love.” Elaine volunteered her time and service in her
community for decades. Starting with schools, where she
tutored kids in reading, presented a “bicycle safety” program
she created to many classes, and filled out “Post Card” vaccine
reminders to parents, by hand, for the Health Department. She
later became active in PTA, then president.
Many other leadership roles at local and state levels followed
over the years including serving as President of the Orange
County Medical Society Alliance, the Florida Medical
Association Alliance, and the Southern Medical Association
Alliance. She also was active, with the Scottish American
Society of Central Florida, Drug Free Coalition and Anti-Tobacco
Coalition/Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT).
During these may decades of volunteer work for community
service organizations and their many projects, she has positively
influenced the lives of thousands, and she has been loved by
hundreds. Besides her family and close friends, she will be
missed by many.