WILMINGTON — T. Elaine Werner was born on August 16, 1943, in Beaufort, North Carolina, to Carlton Hatsell and Dorothy Hopkins and died May 6, 2025, in Wilmington, North Carolina.
She is survived by her son, Ray Werner, her sister Linda Passingham (Hugh) and her nephews Scott Passingham (Alexis) and their daughters Airlie, Lyla and Hazel, and Kent Passingham (Danielle) and their children, Harper and Hayden.
During her teenage years Elaine and her family moved from Swansboro, North Carolina, to Los Angeles, California, which set the stage for a life of incredible achievements. Elaine’s career was nothing short of groundbreaking. She joined Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated in Los Angeles as a secretary shortly after high school. It was there she shattered glass ceilings as the first female registered representative and the first ever female vice president on the west coast, which paved the way for future generations of women in finance. Her courage, determination and tenacity were evident in every step she took.
Elaine’s life was not only about professional success but also about creating beauty and fostering community. Her move to Wilmington, North Carolina in the mid 1990’s from Pasadena, California, allowed her to build her dream home on the water, a masterpiece that graced the cover of House Beautiful magazine. Known for her lush gardens, Elaine’s was featured on the Azalea Festival Garden tour.
Her involvement in the community was profound, serving as a board member of the Landfall Foundation and chair of one of their annual galas and then as a board member of Thalian Association Community Theatre. She was also chair of World Premiere Productions, where under her leadership, the production of “Pompeii” written by Dorothy Papadakos, became the largest selling show in Thalian Hall’s more than 200-year history, a testament to both her passion for the arts and her commitment to the Wilmington community.
Elaine was a world traveler and her trip to China, soon after it opened in the 1970s, with a women’s finance delegation, was a symbol of her adventurous spirit. Yet, despite her global travels, Elaine’s heart was always with her family. One cherished memory was her determination to visit the estate called Airlie in the highlands of Scotland, so she could tell her great-niece, Airlie, that she had seen the original Airlie Estate.
In remembering Elaine, we recall her generosity, her kindness, and her sweet spirit. She was a gracious hostess who loved to entertain, bringing joy to those around her. Her presence was a gift to all who knew her, and her love of God, family and friends was evident in everything she did.
Elaine’s life was full and rich, a tribute to her deep faith and love for those she held dear. While we mourn her passing, we take comfort in knowing that her legacy lives on in the hearts of her son, her sister, their families, and all her many friends.
The memorial service for Elaine will be held at the Kenan Chapel at Landfall, 510 Arboretum Drive, at 11:00 a.m., on May 14, immediately followed by a Celebration of Life at the Country Club of Landfall, 800 Sun Runner Place where all are welcome. Interment of Elaine’s ashes will be at Piney Grove Baptist Church Cemetery, Piney Grove Baptist Church Road, Swansboro, North Carolina on May 15 at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Lower Cape Fear LifeCare, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401, or to a charity of your choice will be welcomed.
