Elaine Anne Pagana

Elaine Anne (Jarvis) Pagana, 88, of Fort Edward, New York, passed away on Thursday, June 20, 2024 at The Wesley Community Nursing Home in Saratoga Springs, New York.  She passed away peacefully surrounded by her children after a long illness. 

Born on April 16, 1936 in Fort Edward, she was the daughter of the late Homer Jarvis and Julia (Winslow) Jarvis.  In addition to her parents, Elaine was predeceased by a baby brother, Homer Jarvis Jr, her husband Anthony Pagana, and son’s Michael David Heil and Mark Edward Heil.  Survivors include her only sister Jeanette Gonyea (Marvin) of Hudson Falls and her children Pamela Heil Casey of Queensbury, Diane Barrett (Jamie) of Wilton, Laurie Wieland (Peter) of Queensbury, Christopher Heil of Queensbury, Tammy Pagana (Michael Kokoletsos) of Queensbury, Carmela Pagana-Saville (Weylin) of South Glens Falls, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren who loved her so much, as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins.  

Elaine married Carl Edward Heil on June 28, 1953, and together they had 6 children. Though they divorced, they remained friends.  On December 28, 1969, Elaine united in marriage to Anthony Pagana.  They were married for 47 years and had 2 children bringing their blended family to 8 children.  Their joint families celebrated many functions together over the years. 

Elaine attended Saint Mary’s Academy in Hudson Falls, where she enjoyed being a Majorette/baton twirling.  Dancing was also a great joy throughout her life.  Elaine was an avid bowler, participating in leagues at B&C Lanes in Hudson Falls and Broadway Lanes in Fort Edward.  She also enjoyed playing bingo, as well as taking trips to Atlantic City where she enjoyed the “penny slots”.  She was also an avid animal lover and over the years she had several pets including her beloved dogs Bella, and grand dog Sammy.

Elaine was a stay-at-home mom when her children were young.  Later she worked as a waitress at The Holiday Inn, Lake George for many years.  Elaine had a passion for cooking and opened her own restaurant “Elaine’s Pizza and Sub Shop” in Fort Edward. Though she was not of Italian descent, she could cook like she was.  She ran this business for several years.  She also worked at The Simione Bakery and later managed the deli at Lewis Super Market in Hudson Falls.  Upon retirement, she was a great support to her family and friends, also helping care for her son Michael Heil, who was disabled in a car accident in 1974.

For many years, she lived on the Fort Edward Yacht basin, where she looked forward to the “Heritage Days Celebration” on July 4th.  She was helpful to the tourists staying in the Yacht basin recommending where they could get food or shop when they came in on their boats.  She also had her 15-minutes of fame on December 28, 2011 when she was interviewed on the news and became a “You Tube” star when two dozen manhole covers exploded from a 1,500 gallon gas leak into the sewage system in Fort Edward.

Elaine will be greatly missed.  She will always be remembered for her love of family and friends.  She loved get togethers, the Balloon Festival, “Dog Shack” hot dogs, “Juicy Burgers”, dancing, her coloring books, Barry White songs especially “Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Babe, and You’re the First, the Last, My Everything”, she enjoyed crocheting – and made blankets for all of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren over the years as well as donated several lap blankets to local nursing homes. She was famous for making Italian Wane cookies for every holiday, baby or wedding shower.

Family and friends are invited to calling hours on Thursday, June 27, 2024, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main Street, Hudson Falls, New York. 

A Funeral Mass for Elaine will take place at 11 a.m. on Friday June 28, 2024 at St. Mary’s – St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Hudson Falls.

The Rite of Committal will follow the Mass at the St. Joseph’s Cemetery on Burgoyne Avenue, Fort Edward.

Following the burial, please join the family at the Kingsbury Firehouse on Burgoyne Avenue in Hudson Falls for refreshment, and bring a memory to share in Celebration of Elaine’s life.

The family would like to thank Community Hospice Saratoga as well as The Wesley Community, especially the nursing staff of 4 Victoria and 3 Springs for their care and support, also Optum and the medical providers.