Elaine Baran Black ’93
Elaine Baran Black ’93 died of colon cancer during the early hours of the morning on Friday, April 14, 2023. She was 52 years old. She is survived by her loving husband of 23 years, Kevin Black, her daughter Meryl Black, her father Edward Baran, her sister Caroline Fleming, several in-laws, 5 nieces, 1 great-niece, numerous cousins, and two cats.
Elaine was admired for her wry humor and forthright demeanor. With a passion not only for travel but also for travel planning, she set foot in 17 different countries and arranged for her family to have off-the-beaten-path adventures along the way. She enjoyed an active life. She swam and dove competitively, acted in community theater, made photo books, volunteered at the elementary school, and was once even a TV game show contestant.
Having graduated from the College of Wooster and going on to earn a Masters in Library Science from the University of South Florida, Elaine put librarian skills to work serving communities throughout Georgia and beyond, eventually working as the Director of Children and Family Services for the Georgia Public Library Service. A strong advocate for family literacy, she participated in and designed library programs for children, teens, and adults. Upon retirement, she received well wishes and congratulations from libraries and librarians all over the U.S.
Elaine was a dear and kind person, a dedicated wife, and an outstanding mother. She left her mark on the world in so many ways, and the world is a better place because she was here. Her life ended far too soon, but she made the most of the abbreviated time that she did have. She is already deeply missed.
There will be no immediate funerary services because Elaine generously donated her body to the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Suwanee, GA. When the college holds a memorial service for donors and their families, more information will be forthcoming as to time and place.
Elaine specifically requested that her obituary read “In lieu of flowers, go check out a book.”
Posted in on June 13, 2023.
