Elaine (Ebright) Soens

Margaret Elaine (Ebright) Soens, 85, of Pittsburgh, PA, passed away at her home on Thursday, July 2, 2020 due to complications from COPD.  Elaine was born June 26, 1935 to Margaret "Peg" (Ford) and Howard E. Ebright in Pittsburgh and lived most of her life in Morningside.

Elaine earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Pittsburgh and ultimately spent her career as a teacher in Pittsburgh, teaching English at Oliver High School.  Elaine was very much a modern woman, going to college and working, all the while raising three children alongside her beloved husband, Ted Colton Soens.  A woman on the go, her children recall her working late into the night to grade papers, driving them to years’ worth of extracurriculars, whipping up Chicken a la King for a quick meal, and studying endlessly in pursuit of her degrees.

In her downtime, Elaine loved doing crossword puzzles and keeping up on the news, her guilty pleasure being celebrity gossip, and staying up late to enjoy a glass of something (the latest was Baileys Cream) in hand.  She was an avid Steelers fan, with her Terrible Towel ready.  In retirement, Elaine took up cooking with gusto, and she and Ted traveled the world. She was always willing to edit papers, essays, and résumés for anyone who’d ask, those years of English-teaching never quite evaporating.  We fondly remember many trips to Stone Harbor, NJ to enjoy the beach and a summer-long camping trip in the '60s across the country to California and back.  When recently asked, what would you have done differently, she replied, "Absolutely nothing. I'd do it all again." (We do remember that years ago, you wish you had been a gym teacher — less grading of papers!) 

She was preceded in death by husband Ted, who died May 28, 2020. They had been married for 67 years.  She is survived by their children, Ted Jr., Kathleen and David, grandchildren, one great grandson, and other family members scattered throughout the country.  We love you, Mom and Grandma.  Thanks for the laughs and for being there, always, when needed.  You have been such a comfort.

A private memorial celebration will be held at later date. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the DNC to support getting Trump out of office.  And, as Ted reminded us, make sure you vote.

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