Obituary - ELAINE STARN

Written by her nephew, Joel Kresner

Elaine Rose Regenstreich Starn, 89, passed away on Jan. 12, 2019, after a long Illness. She was a patient at La Posada Memory Care Unity, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

Elaine was born in Youngstown, Ohio, on Nov. 14, 1929, to the late Jack (Jake) and Esther Regenstreich. Elaine was the widow of the late Gene Starn, who passed away in July 2018. Inseparable for over 65 years, Elaine was the love of Gene’s life. On her own, Elaine was a gifted artist and extended family and friends all cherish various artwork gifted to them by Elaine. Together, they built several highly successful businesses, starting with Gene’s broadcasting tenure as news director and nightly news anchor at Youngstown, Ohio’s CBS affiliate, WKBN-TV.

After several years, their “pioneering spirit” led them to Denver, Colorado, where they started ALWESCO, a prosperous wholesale decorative building distributorship. Twenty years later, after selling the company, they “retired” to Orlando, Fla., to play golf, tennis, and help care for Elaine’s aging mother.

Unable to relax, they embarked on another new opportunity, starting the Heritage Florida Jewish News. Again, creating a huge success, it was time to retire again, selling the paper to Jeff Gaeser, who is still the publisher.

The Starn’s next move was to Delray Beach, Fla., and finally to La Posada Retirement Community in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

In addition to Gene, Elaine was also predeceased by her brother, Arthur Regenstreich of California; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Joseph and Rae Cohodas; and sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy and Stanley Kresner of Winter Springs, Fla.

Elaine is survived by a brother, Myron (Phyllis) Regenstreich of Boca Raton, Fla.; nieces, Fran (Nick) Rackoff of N. Reddington Beach, Fla., Marilyn (Al) Nolan of Newburyport, Mass., Terri (Sheldon) Beasley of Elkton, Fla., and Blanche Katz of St. Helens, Oregon; nephews, Steve (Denise) Cohodas of Newburyport, Mass., and Joel (Sue) Kresner of Orlando, Fla.

Elaine’s family would like to thank the La Posada staff and management, and all the caregivers. Special heartfelt thanks to chief watchdog/caregiver and friend, Erin Britten.

There will be a private memorial in March at Bay Pine National Cemetery, St. Petersburg, Fla.

Donations in Elaine Starn’s memory can be made to Trustbridge Hospices, trustbridge.com, and/or the Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Orlando, jgsgo.org.