Elaine G. (Sharistanian) Tateronis, 84, of Auburn and Brewster, Massachusetts passed away peacefully on Friday, April 11, 2025, with her loving family and the caring staff of Notre Dame at her side.

Dr. Tateronis was born in Worcester, attended Classical High School, and graduated from Worcester State University where she received her Bachelor’s (’63) and Master’s (’74) Degrees in Reading and Education. In 1991, she earned her Ed. D. from Boston College in Administration and Curriculum.

She began her teaching career as a Reading Specialist in the Worcester and Auburn Public School systems. After becoming the Reading Supervisor for the Town of Auburn, she was named principal of The Mary D. Stone School in 1989. Soon after receiving her doctorate, she returned to her alma mater, Worcester State, where she served in a variety of roles; first as a Professor in the Graduate Administrators and Elementary Education Programs and then as Department Chair of the Undergraduate Education Program. When the College attained University status, she was named Dean of Education and retired as WSU’s founding Dean of the Schools of Education, Health, and Natural Sciences.

She was passionate about her students and providing pathways to education. She founded the WSU Author Institute, and in recognition of her long service to WSU, she was named the initial recipient of the school’s Extraordinary Dedication Award. She was the first recipient of the Massachusetts Reading Association’s “Celebrate Literacy” Award, a member and advisor of the Kappa Delta Phi Education Honor Society, Pi Delta Kappa and Alpha Upsilon Alpha, the National and Massachusetts Principals Association, a past President of the Central Massachusetts Reading Council, Vice-Chair of the Central Massachusetts Readiness Center and a member of the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Association of Colleges of Teacher Education Board of Directors.

She loved the beach, the birds and the wildlife that visited her yards, and was an avid reader, gardener, and Red Sox fan. Her true love though was her family. She was a dedicated, proud, and loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend and an indefatigable cheerleader for those she loved. Elaine was never happier than when she was spending summer days on Cape Cod with her children and grandchildren and sharing holiday traditions with family and friends.

Elaine was the daughter of the late Albert and Helen (Pingeton) Sharistanian and was pre-deceased by her brother, Albert Sharistanian. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Arthur Tateronis, her daughter and son-in-law, Shari-Ann and Kevin Goudreau, her son and daughter-in-law, Craig, and Kathryn Tateronis, 5 grandchildren, Craig Tateronis, Jr., Helaine Goudreau and her husband, Conor Kenny, Phoebe Tateronis, Eric Goudreau and his wife, Shelby Goudreau and Jack Tateronis, nieces, nephews, cousins, other extended family, and countless friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Elaine’s memory may be made to the Dr. Elaine G. Tateronis Scholarships at Worcester State University. Checks should be made payable to the Worcester State Foundation, Inc., and in the memo field, please indicate the Dr. Elaine G. Tateronis Scholarships. Donations may be mailed to the Worcester State Foundation, P.O. Box 20248, Worcester, MA 01602.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with the Tateronis family between 5 – 7 PM on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at the BRITTON-WALLACE FUNERAL HOME, 91 Central St., Auburn. Her funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 AM on Wednesday, April 16th at the Notre Dame du Lac Chapel, 555 Plantation St., Worcester – kindly proceed directly to the chapel, please. Burial will follow at Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton, MA.