Elaine Schuster

Elaine Brown Schuster of Fairview died on Friday, March 11th, 2016 at her home after a long illness. She was 92 years old.

Mrs. Schuster was born January 7, 1924 in Erie, one of four children to Tilly and Sidney Brown. She graduated from Strong Vincent High School and went on to earn a degree from Mercyhurst College. A self-professed "Home Economics major who hated to cook", she was famous for her chocolate chip cookies, muffins, pecan pie, and brownies.

In 1946, Elaine married Erie native James Schuster, who later became a successful Orthopedic Surgeon. They were married for 65 years until Dr. Schuster's death in 2011. They first moved to Cleveland, where Mrs. Schuster supported their income by selling Beechnut baby food while her husband completed Medical School. After medical school Elaine and Jim lived in Germany for three years as Dr. Schuster fulfilled his military commitment. Upon returning to Erie, the young couple built a house on 504 Cherokee Drive. This is where they raised their three children: Jay, John, and Sarah. In 1970, they moved to a house in Fairview which Mrs. Schuster fondly referred to as "the house on the lake". A gracious hostess, Mrs. Schuster was well known for her elegant dinner parties and large cocktail affairs. With her husband she traveled extensively, including China in 1979, the year it opened to the West. She was active in Temple Anshe Hesed and Tuesday Morning Music Club.

Mrs Schuster's love of dogs was well known. The first Vizsla named Sam, as were all of her dogs, became a champion. It was not unusual to find Elaine on a Saturday morning showing Sam at a dog show on his way to another first place ribbon. All told she raised one Dalmatian, four Vizslas and four Greyhounds. She also possessed an eye for antiques and enjoyed visiting flea markets and house sales.

Her biggest joy and pleasure came from playing the harp. As principal harpist of the Erie Philharmonic and Bayfront Orchestra and later as harpist at numerous weddings, Elaine was known all over Erie for her musical talents. Classical music filled her childhood home. Upon seeing a harpist at a restaurant while out with her parents, she remarked "I have to play that!” At 16 she began harp lessons. While in Cleveland, she resumed harp lessons with legendary teacher Alice Chalifoux who would become her lifelong friend. For 18 years, she drove to the Summer Harp Colony in Camden, Maine, accompanied first by John and later by Sarah. It was here that Mrs. Schuster would continue her harp studies with Ms. Chalifoux. Her passion for the harp was in turn passed on to her daughter Sarah.

Elaine Schuster is survived by her sister, Nancy Lassman of Pittsburgh, her three children, Dr. James Schuster of Fairview, Dr. John Schuster of Mentor, and Sarah Schuster Ericsson of Brookline, MA , nine grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Friends may call at Temple Anshe Hesed, 930 Liberty Street, on Friday March 18 from 10 am until the funeral service at 11 am. Burial will follow in Laurel Hill Cemetery.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Burton Westlake Funeral Home, 3801 West 26th St, Erie. Memorials may be made to the Anshe Hesed Temple Building fund, 903 Liberty St., Erie, PA 16502.