Elaine J. Hackett

Elaine Jeanne Hackett (Nee Chiasson), 80, of Golf Manor, OH, beloved mother to the late Elizabeth Hackett and beloved wife to the late Walter Hackett, passed away at University of Cincinnati Medical Center on November 26, 2022 surrounded in prayer by her close friends. Elaine was the first born of five children to Edward and Hope Chiasson in Waltham, MA on September 24, 1942. Elaine earned her Bachelor of Science in Education with Honors degree in 1964 from Boston State College, MA and found her greatest satisfaction in teaching children. She married Walter Hackett in 1965 and they had one daughter, Elizabeth Anne Hackett, born with special needs, in 1966. Elaine taught elementary school for many years, but later in life worked for General Electric as a computer programmer and understood how the use of computers could greatly benefit the disabled. Elizabeth Anne soon became the driving force behind Specialink Assistive Technology Center, which was incorporated in 1985 in Covington, Kentucky to help with her learning, as well as educating many thousands of disabled children and adults in the greater Cincinnati area. Thanks to this special computer center for learning, Specialink was recognized in February 1992, by President George H.W. Bush’s “Points of Light” global organization for volunteer service, awarding Wally and Elaine’s vision to take action, to create an enabling, healthy community for others to thrive in and to make a difference for so many. Elaine’s spirit of giving and making a difference continued throughout her life. Unexpectedly, Elaine lost her beloved daughter Lizzie in 1994 and her husband Wally passed in 2001. She adjusted to a more independent life, and returned to her love for educating others, through teaching at Riverside Academy and later tutoring both young and old, in-person and remotely for her last 17 years. She then became quite focused on downsizing, making sure accumulated items throughout her home were repurposed to her favorite charities. Elaine enjoyed making jigsaw puzzles, collecting clowns and Tweety birds, solving crosswords and reading. She also remained a strong advocate for equality in education. She valued her close friendships and will be greatly missed by her caring friends, Sue Conaway and Elidee Baston Mason. Elaine was also predeceased by both parents, her brother James, and most recently by her brother Edward Paul. She is survived by her sister Elizabeth (David) Walsh, Olympia, WA and her brother Richard (Karen) Chiasson, Wolfeboro, NH. A private Celebration of Life was held on January 28, 2023. In her spirit of purposeful giving, donations can be made to Vietnam Veterans of America.