Elaine Elizabeth Duncan Holcomb

Elaine Elizabeth Duncan Holcomb, age 90 of Manchester, CT, beloved wife of nearly 60 years to the late David Henry Holcomb, went home to her Lord on August 21, 2025. She was thankful to God for seeing her through many health issues throughout her long life.

Elaine was born May 24, 1935 to the late William Duncan and Ruth Fitch Duncan in Manchester, CT. She grew up attending Manchester schools, with summers spent at either Crary Farm in Preston, CT or at her grandmother Duncan’s portable cottage at Hammonasset Beach State Park. In high school, Elaine was active with the arts service squad and was inducted into the National Honor Society her senior year. She graduated with honors from Manchester High School, Class of 1953.

After graduation, Elaine worked in the engineering department of Pratt & Whitney Aircraft for 6 years as an apprentice detailer. Her artistic talent and meticulous handwriting led her to oversee updating company organizational charts. During this time, she also attended evening classes at a Hartford art school where she refined her skills.

On her birthday, May 24, 1958, she married David and they moved to Elkins, NH where they lived alongside Pleasant Lake for 2 years and brought their first daughter into the world. They lived for a short time in Springfield, MA, where they welcomed their second daughter. In 1961, Elaine and Dave returned to Manchester and Elaine rejoined Pratt & Whitney Aircraft until their son was born. At this time, she transitioned into life as a stay-at-home-mother raising the growing family, becoming active in her children’s PTA and school libraries.

A woman of God, Elaine was a 70-year member of South United Methodist Church (SUMC), serving numerous positions. She taught Sunday school, served on the Staff-Parish Committee, and chaired the Worship Committee, where she helped develop many long-standing programs such as the Chrismon tree and worship acolytes. She was instrumental in starting the custom of gathering laurel to make into traditional wreaths and garlands which graced the doors and balconies of the SUMC sanctuary each Advent season. Elaine’s longest involvement had been with the Lydia Circle of the United Methodist Women at SUMC where she met monthly with her “sisters” to study and serve, including making meals for those in need.

Elaine was not only essential to SUMC, but to the Manchester faith community at large. She was a founding partner of the Manchester Area Council of Churches (MACC) in 1973 where she served as chair of the Division on Christian Unity and Ecumenical Affairs/Interfaith Relations. She was responsible for the Interfaith Community Thanksgiving services which started in 1971, bringing together most faith groups in the area.

She served on the Christian Unity and Interfaith Committee for Southern New England Conference of the United Methodist Church where she was secretary. Also, she was a delegate to the Communications Committee of the Christian Conference of Churches for many years.

A special endeavor of Elaine’s was belonging to Church Women United (CWU) in Manchester during the era when ecumenism was so strong. She became president of CWU for the final 2 terms before the group decided to dissolve. Also, for 17 years, Elaine volunteered to coordinate the “Today’s Thought” column in the Manchester Evening Herald.

Lastly, Elaine was chair of the Manchester Sesquicentennial Worship Committee. It was her privilege to help establish a Jewish-Christian dialogue group which is still meeting to this day after more than 35 years.

Elaine loved to bake and was known for her pies and desserts. Her recipe for orange cake, dubbed “engagement cake”, was published in the Better Homes and Gardens America’s Best Loved Community Recipe book. She enjoyed family gatherings, visiting relatives and friends, leisurely walks, and shopping. Elaine appreciated traveling, most notably her trip to Europe, and spending time at her and Dave’s cottage on Pleasant Lake. She was proud of her Scottish heritage and was known for her beautiful handwriting.

Her departure from this world was preceded by her beloved husband David Henry. She leaves behind her brother William Duncan of Feeding Hills, MA; her children, Heidi Holcomb Lyman of Manchester, CT, Linda Holcomb Mitchell of Andover, NH, and Bruce Holcomb of Coventry, CT; and her granddaughter, Shannon Elizabeth Lyman of New Boston, NH.

Calling hours will be from 5:30pm to 7:30pm on Friday, August 29, 2025 at Holmes-Watkins Funeral Home, 400 Main Street, Manchester, CT. Funeral services will be held at 10:00am at South United Methodist Church, 1226 Main Street, Manchester, CT on Saturday, August 30, 2025 with graveside services immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Elaine’s memory to:

Breakthrough T1D (formerly Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation)

P.O. Box 5021 Hagerstown MD 21741-5021

Manchester Area Conference of Churches (MACC)

P.O. Box 3804, Manchester CT 06045-3804

South United Methodist Church

1226 Main Street, Manchester, CT 06040