Elaine M. L. Files

Elaine Mary Lucille Files, 71, of Hummelstown, Pennsylvania, died on May 23, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

Lain was Born March 12, 1955, in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, to Bill and Reba Files. She graduated from State College Area High School in 1973 and earned her English/Business degree from Penn State University in 1981.

While raising her children, Lain began a fulfilling career at Penn State University, where she brought her intelligence, thoughtfulness, and communication skills to her work with contracts and proposals. A longtime Penn State colleague remembered her as compassionate, dedicated, and quietly indispensable, a steady and warm presence whose character helped hold things together.

Lain's love language was hugging, and prayer was her refuge. She drew great hope and comfort from her faith. She believed in love without judgment and found comfort in God's natural world - especially in cardinals, which she cherished as signs of remembrance from loved ones who had gone before her. She was an avid reader and lifelong cat lover. She found joy in singing, painting, playing games, and sharing good food.

Lain held many cherished roles in her family: daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, auntie, and grauntie. She had a way of extending her family wherever she went, becoming a second mother, an aunt, and a trusted source of comfort to so many. Her family and friends were her greatest blessings, and she cared for them with devotion, tenderness, and unwavering faith.

Lain was preceded in death by her parents, her sister-in-law Nancy Palfey, and her brother-in-law Bud Saverance. She is survived by her children James Stewart Margush and Jennie Nystrom, and grandchildren Madeline and Arya Margush, and siblings Marilyn Saverance, Sharon & Jay Africa, and David Files. She is also survived by six beloved grandkittens and one grandpup.

A funeral and celebration of life will be held in Elaine's honor at 11am on Thursday, May 28, at Christ the Saviour Orthodox Church in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. She will be remembered for her open heart, her kindness, and the love she offered so freely to those lucky enough to know her.