Elvina L. Root

Elvina Lorraine Root, 96, of Dunkirk went home to be with the Lord on August 16, 2024.She was born on October 28, 1927 in Dunkirk, NY to the late Casimer and Helen Karalus.

 Elvina graduated from St. Hyacinth School and Dunkirk High School, and then continued her education at the former Dunkirk Business Institute. Following her studies she was employed at the W.L. Putnam Insurance Agency, and in 1947 married the love of her life Ralph J. Root and began raising their family. Elvina served as an usher for SUNY @ Fredonia for over 10 years, worked as a Chautauqua County Election Inspector, and volunteered for Meals-On-Wheels and the Brooks Hospital weekly prayer group.

Her memberships included being a devout member of the St. Hyacinth’s Blessed Mary Angela Parish, the Dunkirk-Fredonia Lioness Club, the Holy Rosary Society, Mother’s Club, and the “Over 39” Club. Other church activities included serving as a collection counter, volunteering for the weekly Friday morning cleaning crew, and working the annual summer festivals and monthly card parties.

Most important to Elvina was her family and spending time with them. Hobbies included reading and travelling. Her most memorable experience was a trip to Rome in 2004 with the “12 Apostles,” led by Father Michael Parker, where they had a private audience with Pope John Paul II. Each person received an individual blessing from the Pope and had their picture taken with him.

Elvina is survived by her daughter Janet (Gary) Clark of Chagrin Falls, OH; sons Robert Root of Dunkirk, NY, and David (Julianne) Root of Deltona, FL; granddaughter Juliane (Christopher) Harder, and great-grandsons Elliott, Noah and Benjamin Harder of Newbury, OH. She is also survived by sister-in-law Saranne Karalus of Dunkirk, and multiple nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to her parents, Elvina was predeceased by her husband Ralph who died August 24, 1988, and her brother Robert Karalus, also of Dunkirk.

Friends and family are welcome to attend Calling Hours on Sunday, August 18, 2024 from 2-4 p.m. at R. Mackowiak Funeral Home, Inc. The Parish Holy Rosary Society will recite the Rosary on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at the Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, August 19, 2024 at 11 a.m. at BMA Church of St. Hyacinth. Interment in St. Hyacinth's Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Elvina’s name to Our Lady of Victory Children’s Charities,780 Ridge Road, Lackawanna, NY 14218-9902.