Elaine Rosa Steadman

Elaine Rosa Steadman (Nickerson), aged 91, passed away peacefully in her home in Hanover on July 9, 2023 with family there. Elaine is predeceased by her beloved husband of 63 years, Hon. Robert L. Steadman, former Chief Justice of the Massachusetts Superior Court. She is survived by her loving children, Robert L Steadman Jr. and his wife, Lorraine R Steadman of Mansfield; Angela M Steadman and her husband Peter Bernardin of Boxford. She was very proud of her grandchildren, David R and Andrew M Steadman. Elaine is also survived by her siblings, Norma Frazee, Lucille “Lou” Anthony, Clive Nickerson, and Wesley Nickerson. She was predeceased by her parents Roland and Lillian (Atherton) Nickerson; and siblings, Robert Nickerson, Kathleen Frazee-Roth, and Nancy Nickerson. Elaine was immensely aided in her final years by her close friend Christy Richards. 

Elaine was born, raised, and educated in Bangor, Maine where her fondest memories were summers spent with her sisters waitressing at the Seaside Inn on Mount Desert Island, Maine. After high school she moved to Boston, attended the Mass General Hospital School of Nursing, and met her future husband.  Elaine married her beloved husband, Robert on September 5, 1953. The two lived for a time on Beacon Hill in a 5-floor walk-up apartment before moving to East Weymouth after the birth of Robert Jr. They soon moved to South Weymouth, where their children were raised. They were prominent members of the Old South Union Church there.     

After graduating nursing school Elaine completed an internship at McLean Hospital then worked for many years at South Shore Hospital as a pediatric nurse.  She was a busy member of the Order of the Eastern Star, engaging in many Masonic sponsored charities and social events with her husband.  Elaine also greatly enjoyed summers cruising coastal Massachusetts and Maine with family on their trawler yacht “Stormy Angel”, home ported at Tern Harbor. 

Later in life she moved with her husband to Hanover where they enjoyed membership in the First Congregational Church of Hanson. Elaine joined the Hanover Garden Club, supporting many town landscape beautification efforts and played in a bowling league.  During this time, when Robert was Chief Justice, Elaine delighted in social interactions with the other Superior Court judges and their spouses.   After the death of her husband in 2016, Elaine continued to host and cherish family get-togethers, right up until the time of her passing. 

A memorial service to celebrate her life is planned for 11AM July 22 at the First Congregational Church Hanson, 639 High St, Hanson, MA 02341. Luncheon to follow.  

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Norwell Visiting Nurses Association (NVNA) using the link provided. https://www.nvna.org/charitable-fund/