Elaine Shakley

Elaine Morrison Shakley, 94, a Portland resident, was born in Boswell, Pennsylvania, to John and Beatrice Morrison. She graduated from Heidelberg College with a bachelor’s degree in music and a master’s of the arts from Case Western University in Cleveland, Ohio. She was married to Glenn Shakley in 1943 and they were in the 50th year of their marriage before his passing in 1993.

She was an accomplished musician for over 50 years in Cleveland, teaching music in the Cleveland Heights and Chagrin Falls school systems. She started the string program in the Chagrin Falls School system starting with violin and adding viola, cello and bass. She was the first educational television teacher in the City of Cleveland, with her program Songs, Sounds and Symbols. Her first guest was Henry Mancini. She was an adjunct faculty member at Cleveland State University for more than 38 years and was organist at the Federated Church of Chagrin Falls for 28 years, and then the Chagrin Falls United Methodist Church for 13 years.

She received the Martha Holden Jennings award for excellence and used the grant to study educational television around the world. Research was completed in North and South America, Asia, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. She was the first recipient of the Alumni Excellence Award from Heidelberg College and is listed in “Who’s Who in America” and “Who’s Who in the World.” She was a past president of the American Guild of Organists, Mu Phi Epsilon, Cleveland Piano Teachers Association, Cleveland Two Piano Club and an active member of Cleveland Fortnightly Club.

She is survived by three daughters, Susan Lippert (Tim) Portland, Maine, Bonnie Maitlen (Gary) Portland, Indiana, and Pamela Van Siclen (the Rev. John) Newcastle, Maine. She is survived by a sister, Rachel Jones (Milton), Boulder, Colorado, and was preceded in death by sister Maythorne Winterkorn. She has six grandsons and eight great-grandchildren.

Memorials can be sent to Asbury United Methodist Church or Music Works Scholarships at Arts Place in Portland, Indiana. A memorial service will be held at a later date.