Contoocook, NH – Elaine Frances (Shannon) LaCroix passed away on October 15, 2026 with her daughter by her side after a brief battle with aggressive cancer. Elaine was born in Lowell, Massachusetts on December 19, 1942. She was the only child of Yvette Yolande (Brissette) Shannon and Francis Shannon and had a large extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins. She graduated from St. Louis Academy in 1961 and then worked as a secretary until the birth of her only child, Danielle, in 1970, whom she raised in Chelmsford, Massachusetts.
Following her divorce in 1978, Elaine returned both to school and to the workforce. Working full time and attending college at night, she earned an Associate Degree in Business from Northeastern University in 1980 and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from Lesley College in 1983. Elaine went on to have a very robust and successful career as a recruiting and hiring manager, working predominantly for technology companies and ending her career at Cisco. In semi-retirement, Elaine earned her real estate license and worked as an agent for several years. Elaine had a tremendous work ethic that she passed down to her daughter and grandchildren.
For the past two decades, Elaine has split her time between Massachusetts and The Villages, Florida. She embraced her friendships and pursued new hobbies. Elaine had a drive to master anything she undertook, and her pastimes were no exception. She became a bridge Life Master and an elite Texas Hold-em player. She was almost always both the oldest and only female player at the final table and often left poker rooms in the early hours of the morning with her pockets full of cash.
Elaine is survived by her daughter Danielle LaCroix Meserve, her son-in-law, Dan Meserve of Contoocook, NH, and her three beloved grandchildren: Nicholas, Timothy, and Katelyn. The small family shared every Christmas and many summer vacations together. Elaine loved to hear about her grandchildren’ s adventures and was very proud of their accomplishments and the people they’ve become.
The family will be holding two Celebrations of Life, one in New Hampshire on her birthday, December 19th at 11:00am at Fratello’s in Manchester and one in the Villages at a later date. Danielle and Dan are incredibly appreciative of the care and support they received from Granite VNA’s home health and hospice nurses, physical therapists, and aides. If you would like to honor Elaine, please consider a donation to this wonderful organization at www.granitevna.org/donate.
Click here to sign the guest book or honor their memory with flowers, donations, or other heartfelt tributes