Elaine Frances Flicker

January 25, 2010

A service in loving memory of Elaine Flicker, who passed away January 25, 2010, will be held Thursday, May 6, 2010, at 1:30 PM in the main Sanctuary of Ohev Shalom Synagogue, 5311 West 75th Street, Prairie Village, Kansas, 66208. Elaine’s friends and acquaintances in the greater Kansas City area are encouraged to join her family as we celebrate her life. An afternoon tea reception will follow the service. Elaine was born in New York City, the only daughter and youngest of four children, to hardworking and brave immigrants from eastern Europe, Joseph Koenig and Ray Krinsky Koenig, who arrived in this country speaking no English and with no material possessions. Elaine obtained a bachelor of art’s degree from Brooklyn College, and then a masters degree from Teachers College, Columbia University, New York. During World War II she taught many grade levels from second grade through to college and after the war married Max Flicker, who had served as an instructor in the Naval Air Force and who, together with his father Jakob Flicker, developed what became the popular and affordable modern formica top kitchen dinette set. Elaine and Max gave life to three children: Michele, Wayne, and Lee, and relocated with them to Kansas City in the 1950’s. Elaine was active in both charitable and dramatic pursuits throughout her life. The Kansas City Association for Retarded Children named its library after her for efforts on their behalf. She was also known for her prodigious dramatic, comedic, and musical talents. She appeared in more than 26 community and professional productions throughout her long career, winning multiple awards and nominations. Elaine was preceded in death by her husband Max in 2002; they had been married 58 years. Despite his loss and her long battle with cancer, she continued to serve as a model patient for medical students in training until the year before her death. Her family wishes to thank Elaine’s wonderful health care providers for helping her live so many quality years despite her illness, especially Dr. Mark Davidner and colleagues, as well as the physicians, nurses, and hospital staffs at Research, St. Luke’s, Lee’s Summit, and Truman Medical Centers. In addition, it would not have been possible for her to live out her life in her own home without the kindness and generosity of her friends and neighbors including Kheng Sok, Gary and Dianne Smith, Adam and Arnette Fischer, John and Monique Hand, Pat Barnes, John Luongo, Susan McCarthy, Virginia Perrotta, Joey Tenenbaum, and many others. Thanks too to the fine home-based care giving from Home Instead, Simply Home, and Ms. Stephanie Carr. We also thank Rabbi Scott White of Ohev Shalom Synagogue, whose wisdom gave her comfort during difficult times.