Obituary of Mary-Elaine Smith

Mary-Elaine Smith Tashjian, 79, of Freehold Township, passed away peacefully at home on February 26, 2016 surrounded by her family. She was born and raised in Freehold. She graduated from Freehold Borough High School, attended Brookdale Community College and the Omega Institute, New York. Elaine was an accomplished, award winning visual artist. She was a juried member of the Pastel Society of America and her art exhibits included Avery Fischer Hall, Lincoln Center Collaborative Art Show. For more than two decades, Elaine was employed as an art teacher at the Around the Corner Art Center, Freehold. She was famous for her "Come Draw With Elaine" art classes and loved by her students who affectionately called her Ms. Elaine. She inspired and guided hundreds of students through the creative world that she believed that was everyone's heritage. Elaine worked for Freehold Borough Board of Education as a secretary and bookkeeper. She was a beautiful, giving spirit whose guiding light will shine forever in our hearts. She is predeceased by her brother Thomas J. and her son Ronald J. Elaine is survived by her former husband Ronald R. Tashjian; three children, Mary and her partner Amy of Old Bridge, Christopher of Freehold Township and Thomas and his wife Kathy of Beachwood; brothers Frederick, James, Robert and William; three grandchildren Christopher, Nicholas and Stephanie with many nieces and nephews who loved her very much. Friends and family are invited to visit on Monday, February 29, from 5 to 9 PM, at Freeman Funeral Home, 47 East Main Street, Freehold. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, March 1 at 10:00 am at St. Rose of Lima, Freehold. Interment will follow at Old Tennent Cemetery, Manalapan. To leave a condolence or find directions visit www.freemanfuner alhomes.com. In honor of "Elaine" to commemorate her memory donations can be made to: ELAINE SMITH MEMORIAL ART SCHOLARSHIP c/o Around the Corner Art Center 290 Mounts Corner Drive Freehold, NJ 07728