M. Elaine (Barron) Twigg

M. Elaine Twigg, 80, of Crystal Lake passed away on December 24, 2022, following her decision to terminate kidney dialysis and adopt palliative care.

She was born on April 27, 1942, to the late Leslie and Mary Ellen (Boyer) Barron in Chicago, the older to two children.

After meeting him when she was 14 and dating him through most of the intervening six years, Elaine married Bill Twigg at First Congregational Church in Oak Lawn.  They welcomed their first child, John, in 1967 followed by Kimberly in 1970.

Elaine had a lifelong interest in the Northwoods of Wisconsin attending YMCA camp near Lac du Flambeau with her cousins, Barbara and Dawn Smart, whose father was the Camp Director.

She was a long-time birdwatcher and dog-lover and loved being on the water.  Elaine thoroughly enjoyed living in their home on Island Lake for many years before returning to Crystal Lake.

Frustrated at being referred to as Ellen, Eileen, Arlene or Helen when First Congregational bought the Dole Mansion and she worked on converting it to Lakeside Center, Elaine adopted the one-word moniker “Twigg.” And so, she became known, even on the Sunday Order of Worship.

A member of First Congregational Church of Crystal Lake for about fifty years, Elaine enjoyed her church family and participation in Women’s Fellowship, as well as Sunday Services.  She thoroughly enjoyed organizing and working in the church kitchen during Women’s Fellowship meals.

She is missed by her husband, Bill; son, John (Steve Watson) Twigg; grandchildren, Cassidy Elaine Keegan and Liam Perry Keegan; brother, Robert (Renee) Barron; and nephews and nieces, Benjamin, Mary Ellen, Susan, and Tristan.

Elaine, sadly, was preceded in death by her daughter, Kimberly Keegan in 2012.