Elinor Shenk was born on August 14, 1938, in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, to Frances and Ellsworth Michael. She passed away on December 8, 2023, in Seattle, Washington, at the age of 85.  Elinor married Richard Shenk in 1963. She attended Marine View Presbyterian Church in Tacoma, Washington, and was part of AAUW (American Association of University Women). Elinor was a music major at Bucknell University and a music teacher for 3 years. She took computer programming courses and worked as a computer programmer at Weyerhaeuser for 11 years (retired in 1991). Eliner enjoyed painting with water and oil-based paints, ringing bells and directing her church bell choir. She took 2 mission trips to Guatemala.

She leaves behind her husband of 60 years, Richard Shenk (Federal Way, WA), sons, David and Larry Shenk, daughter, Kathryn Dahlman, sisters, Peggy Whittaker, Carol Winpenny, 5 grandchildren: Clayton Dahlman, Page Dahlman, Sydney Shenk, Hudson Shenk, Devyn Shenk. A memorial service will be held at Marine View Presbyterian Church on Saturday, January 13, 2024, from 1:00-3:00 PM. Location is 8469 Eastside Dr NE, Tacoma, WA, 98422.