Elaine G. Bryan

Elaine Galanis Bryan, 91 years old, passed away on January 1, 2025, surrounded by her loving husband and family. She was preceded in death by her parents Leo Galanis and Mary Pulakos Galanis, and by her brothers Leo Galanis and Dean Galanis. Elaine was deeply proud of her Greek heritage. Elaine was born on February 12, 1933, in Erie, Pennsylvania, and lived in Bradford, Pennsylvania for most of her childhood. Elaine had fond memories of Bradford her entire life, including recounting the geographical oddity of having an uphill walk to and from school. Elaine attended Westminster College and completed her Bachelor of Arts degree at Seton Hill College, Greensburg, Pennsylvania. Elaine was married for 68 years to and survived by Robert Thayer Bryan, Jr., of Greensburg Pennsylvania. She lived most of her life in Greensburg, but also spent twenty years in retirement on St. Simons Island, Georgia. During her remarkable marriage, Elaine raised and is survived by four children, Lexie (Jeffrey) Klein, J. Timothy (Nan) Bryan, Rebecca Elaine Bryan, and Georgia (Rob) Unkovic. She is survived by nine grandchildren, Alex (Brittany) Klein, Kate Klein (Christopher) Brown, Tim Klein, Charlotte Bryan, Caroline Bryan, Timmy (fiancée Maggie Lyons) Bryan, Dan (Kasia) Unkovic, Nick (Emma) Unkovic, and Mary (Kyle) Rose; and seven great-grandchildren, Ember and Miles Klein, Leo Brown, Alexander and Leyland Unkovic, Laine Unkovic, and Jack Rose. To all of her grandchildren her name of choice was “Lainey” - and she was deeply honored to have a great-granddaughter Laine share her name. She is also survived by her sisters, Kathryn Galanis McCusker and Barbara Galanis Manos. No obituary nor words on a page can adequately sum up the life of this vibrant and creative woman. Elaine was first and foremost a mother, a wife, and a friend to all. To her husband Bob she was a constant companion; to her children a constant supporter; to her friends, a steadfast partner for conversation, bridge, or literature. Elaine was a published poet, read voraciously, traded books with her family, and in later years could actually be found working a Wordle on her iPhone! Less than two weeks before her passing she was playing bridge twice a week, and last week enjoyed a happy, busy Christmas season with her family. Elaine spent weeks as a young mother memorizing the poem “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” and then reciting it to her children, who followed along, carrying around the heavy volume of poetry where it could be found. This poem – ironically about growing old – has verses that apply to her passing as well as to her living, and all of the Bryan children can still recite the first lines. Elaine was a teacher as well. She taught at the International Language Institute and owned and operated Sylvan Learning Centers; in both places, Elaine changed the lives of many young students. Many of her students kept in touch for decades, including one young man who wrote her a letter just last month about her influence on his life. Elaine was an original Board member of the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra and a Board member of the International Poetry Forum; she was a past volunteer with Amity House in St. Simons Island; and was a member (and past President) of The Friday Club of Greensburg. She and her husband were members of Maplewood Presbyterian Church and Elaine was the Treasurer of the Women’s Association of the Church; they were members of St. Simons Island Presbyterian Church as well. Bob and Elaine were members of Pike Run Country Club and the Sea Island Club. A funeral service for Elaine will be held at 11 am on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at Maplewood Presbyterian Church, 108 Woodland Road, Greensburg, Pennsylvania, and there will be a reception to celebrate Elaine’s life immediately following the service at Maplewood. Please, in lieu of flowers, provide a donation to the Westmoreland Food Bank,100 Devonshire Drive, Delmont, Pennsylvania if you wish. https://westmorelandfoodbank.org. Arrangements are being handled by Kepple-Graft Funeral Home, Greensburg. For online condolences, please visit www.kepplegraft.com.