1908-1977
by Dominic Vautier
2-12
Patsy Elaine O'Rouark was my aunt on my mother's side. She was born Jan 24, 1908 in Idaho and died July 4, 1977 in Sedro Wooley, WA. She was the second daughter of my grandfather James Edward O'Rouark who first saw the light of day in Palms MI. way back in 1865. James married Ellen (Nellie) Alexander who originally came from Southampton, Ont. More information on the O'Rouark family can be found here.
Elaine was married to Oskar Rauch probably about 1933 and had one child in 1935. Later she was determined to be crazy, divorced and sent to the mental institution at Sedro Wooley where she died many years later. Her son was put up for adoption.
I am doing this as a tribute to my aunt whom I never had a chance to meet, but after reviewing her medical records, I feel that whatever was wrong with her could have been treated or at leased better diagnosed. It looks like a thyroid deficiency to me.
My mother always told me Elaine was dead. Back then there was an attitude about that "crazy aunt in the basement" where people were in denial about mental problems and tended to distance themselves from the stigma.
Here is Elaine with her older sister Allegra
Another Picture of her when she was about 12.
Elaine's family
LtoR: Allegra Catherine, James Edward, Ellen Alexander, Douglas James, Gerald Alexander (Standing in back), Elaine in Dad's lap.
The O'Rouark women. Ellen Alexander O'Rouark with her daughters, Allegra and Elaine
I think Elaine is on the extreme left and Ellen, her mom, is next to her. Allegra appears on the right. probably taken around 1928.
