Eileen "Elky" (Garber) Baine

We regret to announce the passing of Eileen "Elky" Baine at the age of 92 at Elan Gardens in Clarks Summit.

Eileen was born Aug. 12, 1929, in Scranton. A daughter of the late Louis and Anna Lieberman Garber, she had lived in Scranton and Clarks Summit. She graduated Marywood College with an M.S. in early childhood education. Eileen worked for 30 years in the Scranton School District preschool program where she initiated many programs, including nutritional meals and a preschool health fair that offered free dental and vision care.

Eileen was a lifelong volunteer. She volunteered with the Girl Scouts for nine years and received a 12-year Certificate of Service from the VA Hospital for Jewish War Veterans after World War II. She fundraised for American Heart and Cancer Associations and the Alzheimer's Association, and was recognized for 10 years of service in the Retired Seniors Volunteer Program. Eileen was president of the Senior Adult Club at the JCC, where she started many social programs, including visits to the residents at Elan Gardens, where she spent her final days.

Eileen was a member of the JCC Executive Committee, and the boards of the Jewish Home, Jewish Family Service, Lackawanna Neighbors, and Plaza 550 Condominium. She was an active member of the Jewish War Veterans Auxiliary, and Congregation Penn Monroe and Beth Shalom Sisterhoods. In recognition of her extensive volunteer services throughout the community, Eileen received the 2010 JCC Community Service Woman of the Year Award.

Eileen brought a creative and artistic flair to the many events she chaired and participated in, including knitting hats for soldiers, afghans for seniors and beautiful centerpieces for fundraising galas.

Above all, she will be remembered by young and old for her kindness and extreme generosity.

Eileen is survived by sons, Donald and Neil; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack; son, Jay Steven; daughter, Gayle Baine Brezack; a brother, Arthur "Butch" Garber; and sisters, Eve Scobbo, Ida Diamant and Dorothy Friedman.

Graveside services will be held Sunday, Dec. 12 at 1 p.m. in the Dalton Jewish Cemetery by Rabbi Dovid Saks; masks required. Shiva will be on the first floor social room at 550 Clay Ave., Scranton, on Sunday, 4 to 6 p.m., and Monday through Wednesday, 1 to 3 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Due to COVID-19 precautions, masks will be required at all times in the building and there will be a maximum of 10 visitors at a time. Due to COVID, there will be no food at the shiva.

Memorial donations may be made to Jewish Family Service of Northeastern PA, 615 Jefferson Ave., Scranton, 18510; or United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern PA, 425 Alder St., Scranton, 18505.

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