This article was originally printed in the Beacon, April 2012. Sadly, Elayne died on June 2, 2016.
On April 3, Elayne Nord, an alto in the UUFH Choir, will join an elite group of singers, including the 
likes of Tony Bennett, who have reached the age of 85 and are stilling singing and still giving and receiving joy in the process. Elayne and her husband Ron make a 90-minute round trip every Tuesday evening so that Elayne may continue her experience and love of singing in a choral group.
Elayne’s love of music began early. She performed her first solo at age five. Growing up in Grand Rapids, MI, she sang in her school’s choral group and also studied piano, violin, and cello. After junior college, marriage, and the passing of a number of years, she and her husband moved to New Jersey. Elyane attended Rutgers University, obtained a Bachelor’s and a Master’s Degree in Psychiatric Social Work, and worked for over 26 years as a social worker in Newark, NJ school system. During that time, she sang as a member of the Normandy Chorale, a well-known New Jersey choral group. Elayne comments that singing The Messiah has always been a personal favorite.
Elayne, we wish you a very happy birthday. May you keep the songs coming our way.