Elaine “Lainey” Lundgren Duke
10/11/30 – 1/19/12
DUKE, Elaine Marie nee Lundgren, known to family and friends as Lainey, returned home to her Lord on January 19, 2012 at age 81. Born to Swedish immigrant parents in Chicago, IL, on October 11, 1930, Lainey was known to all by her sunny disposition and positive attitude. She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Mobile, Alabama attorney Leon G. “Pete” Duke. Elaine Lundgren grew up in Chicago, and after graduating from Calumet High School in 1948, her family moved to the Mississippi coast. After studying home economics at the University of Southern Mississippi, Lainey married Pete Duke and became a career homemaker. She contributed her cooking talents to endless family meals and church events, at one time testing recipes for Betty Crocker. Lainey also was a gifted seamstress who spent many joyful hours at her sewing machine, serving as wardrobe chairman for the Mobile Sweet Adelines harmony singing group for several years. Lainey loved to sing, and her alto voice enriched church choirs from the time she was a girl. A veteran Sunday School teacher, Lainey has been an active church member all of her life. For the last twenty years, Christ United Methodist Church has been her church home.
Survivors include children Andrew Duke, DVM, (Lynne) of Mobile, Barbara Duke Pleasant of Floyd, VA, Chris Duke, DVM (Ann) of Ocean Springs, MS, and Russell Duke (Judi) of Mobile; and two sisters, Joan Lundgren Davidson of Indianapolis, IN, and Doris Lundgren Carlson of Sun City, AZ. In addition, she is survived by eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
A Christian celebration of Elaine Duke’s life will take place at Christ United Methodist Church on Grelot Road on Saturday, January 21, at 11 a.m., with family receiving beloved friends starting at 10 a.m. Those unable to attend the service may share their goodbyes by viewing her life story below. Lainey will be buried beside her husband in a private family service at Mobile Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Widowed Persons Services of Mobile (widowedmobile.org).
Arrangements made by Radney Funeral Home.
