Obituary of Dr. Ellen Elizabeth Cain

Dr. Ellen Elizabeth Cain passed away peacefully at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital in NYC, on Monday, November 25, 2024, at the age of 59. Ellen was born in Elmira, NY; the youngest child of Dr. Francis Haber and Eleanor Haber. Ellen graduated from Notre Dame High School, Syracuse University, and SUNY College of Optometry. She was a local optometrist for 30+ years working at Sterling, Sears, Twin Tier, and Guthrie Eye Care. 

Ellen had an infectious laugh and always found brightness, even throughout her challenges with cancer.  She valued the relationships she had with her family, friends, and patients; whose support provided her endless comfort and strength. She could never find enough time in the day to satisfy her curiosities. Working with her hands provided her immense joy. Her creativity shone in stunning sweaters, quilts, and other fiber projects that she gifted to so many. Her happiness was rooted in the simple pleasures of life such as a fresh cup of dark roast or ripe cherry tomato from the schoolhouse garden. No culinary project was too daunting, and sharing the bounty was one of her favorite ways to show affection.  To know Ellen was to love Ellen. She made people feel seen and loved. 

Ellen is survived by her husband of 30 years, John Cain, and by children, William [Jacqueline] Roe of Pearl River, NY, Lauren Cain of Syracuse, NY, Lucas Cain of Saratoga Springs, NY, and Martin Cain of Syracuse, NY. Also survived by Dr. Francis [Bonnie] Haber of Boones Mill, VA, Eleanor Haber of Horseheads, NY, siblings, Margaret [John] Szoke of Orange, CT, Mark Haber of Tampa, FL, Robert [Paula] Haber of Princeton, WV, and Kathy Ray of Memphis, TN.

Calling hours will be at McInerny Funeral Home, 502 W Water Street, Elmira from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 13, 2024. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at Grace Episcopal Church, 375 W Church Street, Elmira on Saturday, December 14, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, consider donating to the American Lymphoma Society (lls.org (http://lls.org/)) or donate blood in Ellen’s memory.