Elaine E. (Pratt) Carlin

Elaine Elizabeth (Pratt) Carlin, 91, of Salisbury Center, New York, passed away peacefully at home on January 28, 2026 with Jack, her husband of 67 years at her bedside.

She was born on January 5, 1935 in Greenfield, MA and was the daughter of the late, Louis and Margaret (Burke) Pratt. Elaine attended Powers Institute in Bernardston, MA and graduated with the Class of 1952. She then went on to attend William and Mary College in Williamsburg, VA and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Education in 1956. During college years, she was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority.

After college, Elaine was an elementary school teacher in Greenfield Ma., Pittsfield, Ma., Lexington Park, Md., and Wichita, Ka.

After living in many places, including Maryland, Kansas, Wisconsin and Massachusetts, Jack and Elaine Carlin moved to a fifty-acre farm on Emmonsburg Road in Salisbury Center, NY in 1971. Elaine would become an active participant in the community and leave a lasting impact on the town and surrounding region.

After decades as a dedicated wife and mother, Elaine took on new responsibilities as an archivist for historic photos at the Munson-Williams-Procter Arts Institute in Utica.  Prior to that, when she wasn’t tending to her family, she served as office manager for the Pratt-Carlin Real Estate business.

She was elected Town Clerk for the Town of Salisbury, in 1992 where she served for 14 years.  In that role she is remembered for helping members of town council navigate many difficult issues.  She also guided the town through the early days of computerization—from property taxes to hunting and fishing licenses—patiently helping residents navigate what was often a frustrating transition.

She was an active participant in activities at the Salisbury Community Church (Formerly Salisbury United Methodist Church) where she attended services and assisted with numerous fund-raising dinners and other activities.

Perhaps, her greatest contribution to the town came from her leadership in restoring the former home of Augustus Frisbee.  Built in 1805 it was the oldest standing home in town.  As a leader of the town’s active historical society, she agreed to take on the project after the Society purchased the dilapidated structure for one dollar.  Over the next few decades, Elaine oversaw the work of countless volunteers who cheerfully helped restore the building, known today as the “Frisbee House” to its original design.  Today it serves as a museum where visitors take in the history of the region.  After the seemingly never-ending restoration, Elaine continued to help program the museum, with displays detailing the region’s rich history from iron mining to timber harvesting, to cheese making and more.

Her love of antiques is evident in the Carlin home where rooms are decorated with items Elaine discovered as she scoured local shops, or family heirlooms, in which she found great meaning and sentimental value.  She also restored numerous antiques to their original luster.

A person of many interests, Elaine spent many years tending a large vegetable garden, canning and preserving much of the harvest.  Later, she became active in Salisbury’s herb garden society.  She enjoyed tending to and giving tours of her herb garden surrounding an old milk house on the property.

An avid quilter, Elaine crafted many hand-made quilts in traditional patterns for all the members of the family.  Some were so cherished through childhood, that they accompanied her grandchildren to college.  A large barn quilt in the bearpaw design can be seen on the side of the barn as a tribute made by grandson Benjamin Carlin acknowledging the heart-felt importance of the quilt he received from his grandmother.

Elaine will be remembered as a person for whom family came first.  She dedicated her life to the support of her husband, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Thanks to her quiet leadership style, she was an inspiration to all who knew her.  She will be sorely missed by both her family and the community.

She is survived by her beloved husband, John “Jack” C. Carlin at home; her son and daughter-in-law, John Pratt Carlin and wife, Mary of Roanoke, VA; grandchildren, Jonathan Carlin and wife, Beth of Roanoke, VA, Benjamin Carlin and wife, Alyce of Roanoke VA, Tyler Carlin and wife, Emily of Chesapeake, VA, Molly Richard and Hadley Richard, both of North Adams, MA; great grandchildren, Luke Carlin, Nathan Carlin, Nicholas Carlin, Addison Elaine Carlin, Olivia Carlin, Finn Carlin, and Holden Carlin; two sisters-in-law, Marsha Pratt of Bernardston, MA and Paula Carlin of AZ; and several nieces and nephews who were very special and dear to Elaine.

Elaine was predeceased by two cherished daughters, Kathryn “Katie” Burke Carlin and Jessica McGrath Carlin; a loving brother, D. William Pratt; her in-laws, Esther Rice Carlin and John Henry Carlin; and a brother-in-law Daniel S. Carlin.

A memorial service is anticipated to be held in June of 2026 at the Salisbury Community Church and a Celebration of Life Reception at the Salisbury Volunteer Fire Department. All dates and times will be updated in the future and will be announced.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations for The Frisbee House Salisbury Historical Society, P.O Box 476, Salisbury Center, New York 13454 or The Salisbury Community Church, P.O. Box 104, Salisbury Center, New York 13454. Please mark in your memo on your check, “In Memory of Elaine E. Carlin” in order for the donation to be properly acknowledged.

Many thanks to Nora Guinup for providing daily care and never-ending support during Elaine’s final months and Siri Moore for her support and care. We would also like to thank Hospice and Palliative Care of Oneida, Herkimer, and Eastern Madison Counties and Herkimer County Meals on Wheels. Together they provided Elaine the opportunity to spend her final days peacefully at home. The family would also like to thank Woody and Joanne Woodward for their help and support.  Elaine enjoyed playing scrabble with Joanne until shortly before her passing.

To leave a message of sympathy for the Carlin Family, please visit www.millerplonkafuneralhome.com and sign the tribute wall or leave a photo or memory for her online memory book.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Elaine E. (Pratt) Carlin, please visit our floral store.