Elaine Louise Peterson/Coddington/Lamporte

Elaine Louise Peterson/Coddington/Lamporte of Long Lake flew off like a kite and took to the skies heading home on Wednesday, September 13, 2023.

This strong red-headed force of nature gave her best to this world, leaving behind very little on her bucket list.

She was born on September 7, 1936, to Genevieve Lucille Peterson (Dentler) and Thure Emmanuel Peterson, in Rockford, Illinois. She had one older sister, Sylvia Anne Peterson.

She was interred in Long Lake Cemetery alongside her first husband, Floyd Leonard Coddington, on Friday, September 15.

Elaine’s childhood was characterized by her love of family. Whether she was biking to her grandma’s (Edna Dentler) home in Davis Junction, Illinois, enjoying family gatherings with her cousins at Dorothy’s Farm, spending time at her Uncle Oscar’s lake house in Wisconsin, working in a Caramel Popcorn factory and a Car Hop, horseback riding, ice skating, going to church and just being a typical young girl and teenager.

Elaine attended Ripon College in Ripon, Wisconsin. It is there she met her first husband, Floyd “Flood” Coddington. They both had strong connections to Long Lake. Elaine’s connection was Long Lake, Wisconsin; Flood’s Long Lake was in upstate New York. When Elaine met Flood, Elaine acquired the nick name “Petie.”

They married on March 8, 1958. From their union three children were born: Natalie Anne Luxford (Will, Emily, Scott, Callan, Raylan, Nick, Jodi, Liam), Kenneth Floyd Coddington (Alice, Henry and Oscar) and Amy Louise Coddington-Burnett (Matt).

For the next 22 years, Petie and Flood lived a military life. Many moves and transitions. Elaine always made every move a new adventure brimming with potential. In 1972, Flood’s military career was winding down and the family moved to Manassas, Virginia. They lived there until 1986.

In 1985, Petie and Flood bought a house in Long Lake. Not yet ready to fully retire they also decided to buy a marina, “Coddington’s Boathouse”.

They ran it as a couple for four years until Flood’s sudden passing.

For the next six years, Petie continued to operate Coddington’s Boathouse while juggling a librarian job at Long Lake Central School and finishing her house that she and her late husband created. Bedecked in lipstick, a cute neck scarf and matching overalls, Petie ran that marina with style, grace and panache.

After 11 years of somewhat wild widowhood Elaine’s name changed for the third time. It was a matchmaking effort that worked. On October 20th, 2001, Elaine, now nicknamed “Lainie” married Richard Lamporte. They had a love built on travel, faith, family, and military ties. They shared their time between Burke, Virginia and Elaine’s beloved Long Lake.

Elaine leaves behind her indelible mark. Her spirit will never be forgotten and was one that transformed all she met. She embraced life and wanted all those around her to embrace it as well.

Those wishing to commemorate Elaine, please contact ASPCA Gift Processing Center, POB 96939, Washington, DC, 20090-6929. She was a lover of all creatures.