Elaine Lancelotti Markovich

July 1, 1939 - November 15, 2021

Elaine Lancelotti Markovich was born July 1, 1939, in San Francisco and died suddenly November 15, 2021, in Napa. Elaine was the only child of the marriage of Rose Serrato and Fred Lancelotti. Each of her parents went on to other marriages, so Elaine has several step siblings. Elaine was raised in the North Beach district of San Francisco in an Italian household with her grandparents, aunts, and uncles nearby. She was a graduate of St Monica’s Elementary School, Presentation High School, and earned her BA degree and teaching credential at USF, a master’s degree from SF State and another masters from Seattle University. During her membership with Rotary Club International, Elaine was named a Paul Harris Fellow. She joined the Sisters of the Presentation order of Catholic Nuns in 1956 so that she could use her gift of spirituality and teach. She taught or was the principal at St John Vianney’s San Jose, St Mary’s Gilroy, St Elizabeth’s San Francisco, and St Agnes’s San Francisco. She worked at St Patrick’s Sonora for a year before joining the St Patrick’s Larkspur Parish in 1985 as a Pastoral Associate. In Larkspur she managed the day-to-day jobs plus property management of the commercial buildings owned by the Parish. Elaine left the community of sisters in 1989 but continued her work at St Patrick’s until 2005. In October of that year, she sold her condominium in Corte Madera and moved to Napa. January 6, 2006, she married Tom Markovich, retired, and joined the Napa Valley Country Club. At the Club, she attained the rank of Captain of the Ladies Golf Group, was on the Board of Directors and made a hole-in-one. When she and Tom had to quit golf in 2016, she was able to get a volunteer job at her beloved St Apollinaris Church. There, working nearly full time, she assisted the Pastor, Father Fergal, the priests Father Thomas and Father Pat, Nini, and Valentina. She also collaborated with the groundskeepers Chris and David, school principal Oliva, teachers, and school staff. She completed numerous tasks including editing the parish bulletin, assisted in counting the collection, streaming Mass during the pandemic shutdown and assisted as an usher, all with immense joy. Additionally, she managed and partially funded the church earthquake repairs, interior painting, replacement of the altar carpet, tile, kneelers, and sound system. Other work included managing the painting of the school and convent, sponsoring the CYO basketball team jerseys, and founding the Elaine Markovich Memorial Scholarship Fund for graduating eight grade students who served their Parish. Elaine did find time for recreation such as swimming, playing golf, tennis, bocce ball and traveling. Elaine was able to take cruises through the Greek Islands, Scandinavian capitals, and St Petersburg Russia (plus golf in Copenhagen), the Caribbean and Alaska. She also was a pianist and a terrific singer. While basically a shy person, she was driven to serve others with her talents and skills, making a difference in the lives of many people. Elaine is survived by her husband Tom, siblings Michael Cronan and wife Tenley, Sherri Sacks DiBasilio and husband Scott, Fred Pheiffer and wife Lynn, Angelo Lancelotti and wife Sonia, Joe Peery and wife Kay and numerous nieces, nephew and cousins. Elaine will be missed by us all. Elaine’s funeral Mass will be at Noon, Saturday, December 4th at St Apollinaris, 3700 Lassen Street Napa, with lunch to follow with a private interment the following week. Should you care to donate in honor of Elaine, we suggest making it to the Elaine Markovich Memorial Scholarship Fund at St Apollinaris.