Josephine Elaine Woolsey Talarski was born in Goff, Kansas, on February 2, 1936.  She was the daughter of Hugh Woolsey and Josephine Goodrich Woolsey. She passed away just after her 87 ^th birthday at her residence, Morningside Meadows, in San Antonio, Texas on February 22, 2023.

Elaine was a lifelong learner in service to others. She earned the B.S. in Public Health Nursing from Marquette University, MA in Business Management from Webster University, MA in Political Science from St. Mary's University, and the PhD in International Education and Entrepreneurship from the University of Incarnate Word at the age of 77.

Elaine started her career working as a school nurse in Kansas City, Missouri. After five years as a school nurse, Elaine said, "I made the best decision of my life by volunteering to join the U.S. Air Force." She entered the U.S. Air Force on January 6, 1973, as a public health nurse at the rank of Captain. Elaine served her country for twenty years, having assignments on bases throughout the United States and abroad. Her first overseas assignment was in the Philippines, where she cared for wounded Vietnam soldiers. Elaine went on to serve her country in Iceland, Turkey, Okinawa Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, and Portugal, leaving active duty on January 31, 1993, with the rank of Lt. Colonel.

Following her military duty, Elaine, over a period of seven years, was an adjunct professor of Political Science at St. Mary's University, UTSA, and St. Phillips College. She participated in 12 study seminars organized by St. Mary's University, traveling to Central American countries experiencing civil war, poverty-stricken countries of Haiti and Bangladesh, indigenous regions of Bolivia, and tribal areas of eastern India. Themes of the study seminars were causes of conflict, conflict resolution, sustainable development, nutrition and the environment, and women's empowerment. As a doctoral student at UIW, Elaine traveled to rural areas of Zambia, Tanzania and Peru to teach nutrition, assess public health issues, and assist with business development. Overall, Elaine had traveled to 31 countries as an Air Force nurse and educator. Although Elaine had expertise in Public Health, she always traveled as a learner. She had friends all over the world.

As a resident of San Antonio, Texas, Elaine was an exemplar of community service. She was on the board of the League of Women Voters, Alzheimer's Association, and the Mitchell Lake Wetlands Society. She was a longtime volunteer with the Women's Global Connection at UIW and a member of the Bexar County Senior Advisory Committee for AACOG.

Elaine loved and supported local theaters, the symphony, art, and especially the paintings of her close friend, Brother Cletus, SM., who encouraged her to begin painting.  Elaine felt she had been blessed with a rich life. In her last few weeks, Elaine would say that when she felt better there were still ways she could be of service to others. Then she said, "If my life ends do not be sad. I have no regrets.  However, I do have one request. Wherever friends gather in my memory, I want two songs to be played. Willie Nelson's 'On the Road Again', and Frank Sinatra's 'I Did it My Way,' which was the last song Elaine listened to on her iPhone.

Elaine leaves behind an incredibly rich legacy that will live on in her family and countless friends. She lived life to the very fullest, never complaining even when she was not feeling well. She was dearly loved by her family and all that knew her. She left a footprint of kindness and thoughtfulness wherever she went and was well known for her selflessness in going the extra mile to send a birthday card and gift, even on her toughest day. She knew just how to make you feel "special" and "loved"; she will forever be missed.

Elaine is survived by her brother, Dave Woolsey; sister-in-law, Lexus Woolsey; cousin, Anita Alton; niece, Linda Norman; niece, Nancy Nelson; great-nephew, Christopher Norman; great-nephew, Ryan Norman; great-nephew, Michael Woolsey; great-nephew, Steven Woolsey; great-niece, Melissa Norman; great-great-nephew, Decker Norman; great-great niece, Harper Norman; great-great-nephew, Troy Madison, and a great-great niece "Haven" (due at the end of April).

MEMORIAL SERVICES

Services for Elaine will be held on Monday, April 3, 2023.

A funeral mass will be held at St. George Maronite Catholic Church at 12:30pm, where Elaine was an active member. (The family will receive friends an hour before mass @11:30am), followed by a graveside service at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Shelter #3 at 2:30pm. No services will be held at The Angelus.

The family would like to thank the many doctors and nurses at Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) for their outstanding care provided to Elaine during her battle with leukemia.