Elaine D. McNamara

Elaine D. McNamara, 79, of Overland Park, Kansas, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 24, 2026. She was born on April 12, 1947, in Rochester, New York, to Robert and Carmen (Incavo) Dorscheid.

Elaine grew up in Rochester and attended Our Lady of Mercy Catholic High School. She met Ed (Mack) McNamara when they were in elementary school together at St. Andrew’s, and it was love at first sight. They started dating around 1963 while both were members of the Friday Night Club youth group, and they were married on February 24, 1968. After a brief time in Cleveland, Ohio, they returned to Rochester to start their family. Elaine worked at Rochester Community Bank and later at the Rochester City School District, where she eventually retired.

She was hardworking and passionate about everything she did. Elaine loved yard work, gardening, walking, and birdwatching. She enjoyed traveling overseas with her daughter Erin. She could be found at countless sporting events, plays, and anything else that mattered to her children and grandchildren. Above all, she loved supporting her family in all things. After Ed’s death, she moved to Overland Park in 2020 to be close to family and spend time with her grandchildren.

Elaine was very involved at the Church of the Nativity, where she was part of the book club and Sisters in Christ. She also volunteered at the Blessings Abound thrift store. At the Tuileries, where she lived, she served on the social committee and always made people feel welcome and have fun. Though she made her home in Overland Park, Elaine was a big part of so many people’s lives in Rochester, New York; Raleigh, North Carolina; and Overland Park, Kansas.

Elaine is survived by her children, Erin (Aaron) Mooney and Sean (Anna) McNamara; her grandchildren, Ryan, Claire, Grace, Luke, Caleb, and Ella; her brothers, Robert (Amy) Dorscheid, Paul (Beth) Dorscheid, and John (Ann) Dorscheid; and her in-laws, George Mack, Denis Platten, Marie Platten, and Dan Platten.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Carmen Dorscheid; her husband of 52 years, Ed (Mack) McNamara; and her in-laws, Eugene Mack, Phil Platten, and John Platten.

The family is deeply grateful to Tricia “Patty” Roegner and to the caregivers of A Place at Home – Kansas City South for their loving care.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at the Church of the Nativity, with a reception to follow. A funeral will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, January 4, 2027, at St. Ambrose Church in Rochester, New York, also followed by a reception.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Church of the Nativity or to St. Ambrose Church in Rochester, New York.

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