Eden Prairie – Elaine Carol Barclay passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Thursday, January 8, 2026.
She was born February 21, 1949 and devoted her life to caring for others, a commitment she carried out with steady warmth, resilience and a wonderful sense of humor.
Elaine grew up on a farm outside Grygla, where close family ties and strong community values shaped her life. She graduated from Goodridge High School and later moved to Minneapolis to pursue a career in nursing, earning her Registered Nurse degree through Abbott School of Nursing.
Elaine was proud of her work in healthcare and the compassion and professionalism she brought to every role. She spent much of her career at Ridgeview Medical Center, where she served as Head Nurse.
While working full-time and raising two children as a single parent, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and later her Nurse Practitioner designation. She spent the final years of her career as a Nurse Practitioner at a Johns Hopkins affiliated clinic in Burnsville, leaving a lasting impression on colleagues and patients through her skill, incredible work ethic and genuine care.
Above all else, Elaine loved being a mother. She made countless sacrifices to put the needs of her children first, creating a loving and stable home and providing a strong foundation that sustained them throughout their lives.
Elaine embraced an active and joyful life. She was an avid walker who loved being outside and staying on the move. She had fun biking, bowling, traveling, organizing annual family cabin trips to Ely, MN, and playing card games, mahjong and pickleball.
In retirement, she lived in Toronto, Canada, and Melbourne, Australia, to be near her beloved grandchildren, before returning to the Twin Cities and continuing her active lifestyle within her Applewood Pointe senior community.
Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, Thea and Manley Anderson; and her siblings, Glenn Anderson and Mary Wischer.
She is survived by her children, Terry Barclay (Michelle) of Minneapolis and Deanna Pathak (Sanjay) of Toronto; her grandchildren, Rohan and Adelaide Pathak; her siblings, Janice Anderson, Roger Anderson (Marion), Glenda Gobelman (Gary), and Kari Anderson; and numerous nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her close friend, Beverly Johnson, born at the same hospital on the same day; and many others whose friendship meant so much to her.
In lieu of flowers, Elaine requested donations be made to Little Hospice in Edina (littlehospice.org/ donate), in gratitude for the incredible care she received in her final weeks.
A celebration of Elaine’s life will be held later this spring with details to be shared on her CaringBridge site.
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