Honoring one of SOIL’s Most Dedicated Volunteers: Elaine Covell
Elaine Covell was a cherished educator, lifelong volunteer and dear friend of SOIL.
It is with deep gratitude and sadness that we at SOIL remember the life of our longtime volunteer and friend, Elaine Linda Covell (June 11, 1947 – June 15, 2025).
Elaine was part of SOIL’s story for more than a decade. Her home served as SOIL’s official address for many years, and she faithfully received all official correspondence, forwarding every document with care. Even after SOIL’s address changed, Elaine continued to receive mail for us and ensured it made its way into the right hands. Elaine’s responsiveness and sense of responsibility reflected her deep belief in the importance of SOIL’s mission.
Her Miami condo also became a home-away-from-home for SOILies, a place where many of us rested and regrouped while traveling to and from Haiti. Elaine’s generosity created a warm space of hospitality and welcome, a cornerstone of the SOIL family.
Elaine’s impact on SOIL also lives on through her daughter, Jess, who has been a dedicated member of SOIL’s board since 2010 and is now our longest-serving board member. Jess first connected with SOIL’s Executive Director, Dr. Sasha Kramer, in 2009/2010 at the University of Miami. Sasha was leading student trips to Haiti, and from that first encounter, a partnership began—one that Elaine supported wholeheartedly.
Though not all of us had the privilege of meeting Elaine in person, her mark on our organization is unmistakable.
Elaine lived a life of meaning. She was a lifelong educator and her former students remained dear friends long after her retirement. She was an unwavering activist, fighting for human rights and environmental causes. She developed a voter registration program with the League of Women Voters that brought hundreds of young people into civic engagement—another signature of her belief in building a better world.
She also volunteered at the Redwood Food Bank, exemplifying quiet service. And she treasured her role as Nanna, finding joy in family above all else—her pride and laughter echoing through the memories she created.
Elaine approached life with positivity, laughter, and a strong spirit. She was a master planner, whether organizing family events, travel excursions, or helping SOIL navigate our own growth as an organization. Her warmth, hospitality, and quiet but steady dedication left a lasting imprint on her community.
Elaine’s passing leaves a great void, but her legacy endures—in her family, her students, her community, and in the very fabric of SOIL. We will miss her energy, her generosity, and her unwavering commitment to a more just and sustainable world.
Thank you, Elaine. You made a difference in the lives of many, and we will carry your spirit of care and generosity with us always.