Elin Gene Gratton
July 11, 1947 – July 14, 2025
Elin Gene Gratton, beloved and long-time member of Christ Church, passed away at Tacoma General Hospital in the early evening of August 13th. She spent the weekend in the hospital, regularly visited by family and friends. Her niece Joan sang songs to her and her nephew Gary prayed for her. She seemed to be recovering when her breathing took a turn for the worse on Wednesday, and she was shifted to palliative care. Soon after, she quietly passed away in the presence of her family.
Elin’s presence and impact at Christ Church cannot be overestimated. Starting as an undergraduate at the University of Puget Sound, she spent her adult life serving students in their library. She was baptized as a young adult in The Episcopal Church, and was an active member of Christ Church for close to over five decades where she sang alto in the choir, knew the name of every child she worked with, offered healing prayer after Sunday services, was a member of the One Parish One Prisoner Team, and even as her health declined, was a dedicated writer in our greeting card ministry. She was the personal friend and sister-in-Christ to many, remembered by one member as influential in his maturing, much as a sister and friend naturally does. Her nephew Gary describes her as always joyful, always generous, a beloved child of God who found reason to praise God at all times.
A service will be held for Elin at Christ Church. Details will be forthcoming.
Please pray for her nieces and nephews, their children, and for one another as we all grieve the loss of Elin, “a gentle soul, and friend to all.”
In the hope of the Resurrection,
Mother Maria
A Litany of Anticipation
To the gates of Paradise, Lead your child home.
To your mercy-seat, Lead your child home.
To the kingdom of heaven, Lead your child home.
To your true sanctuary, Lead your child home.
To the multitude of the blessed, Lead your child home.
To the welcome-table, Lead your child home.
To the nuptial chamber, Lead your child home.
To the New Jerusalem, Lead your child home.
To eternal bliss, Lead your child home.
To the company of the saints, Lead your child home.
To the Supper of the Lamb, Lead your child home.
To the garden of delight, Lead your child home.
To the throne of majesty, Lead your child home.
To the lights of glory, Lead your child home.
To the Canaan-ground, Lead your child home.
To the highest heights, Lead your child home.
To the crown of glory, Lead your child home.
To the land of rest, Lead your child home.
To Jordan’s other shore, Lead your child home.
To the Holy City, the Bride, Lead your child home.
To the safe harbor, Lead your child home.
To the fount of life, Lead your child home.
To the gates of pearl, Lead your child home.
To the ladder of angels, Lead your child home.
To the land of milk and honey, Lead your child home.
To the clouds of glory, Lead your child home.
To the refreshing stream, Lead your child home.
To the reward of the righteous, Lead your child home.
To the dwelling-place of God, Lead your child home.
–Enriching Our Worship 2, pp 111-113 and 136
