Maureen Elkins

Maureen Elkins, 58, of Tottenville, a registered nurse who loved her family and her profession, and will be remembered as beautiful both inside and out, opening her heart and home to dozens of foster children, died Saturday in Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze.

Born and raised Maureen Lynch in Parkville, Brooklyn, she graduated from St. Brendan's High School in her native borough.

Mrs. Elkins earned her bachelor of arts degree in nursing, magna cum laude, from the College of Staten Island, Willowbrook.

She moved to Woodrow in the early 1980s, and settled in Tottenville 23 years ago.

Mrs. Elkins had been working for many years as a registered nurse for the Volunteers of America Early Intervention Center on the Island.

She also was a foster mother to dozens of children of all ages, including little ones and disabled children, as well as young teenagers with babies, teaching them how to be good mothers.

Mrs. Elkins treasured her family and doted on her five granddaughters. She also enjoyed gardening and reading.

She was very easygoing and patient, and she had a great sense of humor. She always saw the good in everyone. She was loving and caring, and always put others before herself, her family said.

Mrs. Elkins was a parishioner of Our Lady Help of Christians R.C. Church, Tottenville.

Surviving are her husband of 37 years, Thomas; her sons, Michael, Kevin and Joseph; her daughters, Gabriela Dennis, Jennine Elkins, Melissa Powell, Nicole El-Maraghy and Maddy Elkins; her mother, Ann Lynch; two brothers, Hugh and Christopher Lynch, and her granddaughters.

The funeral will be Wednesday from the Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home, Tottenville, with a mass at 11 a.m. in Our Lady Help of Christians Church. Arrangements include cremation.

Services: Our Lady Help of Christian's RC Church Wednesday, April 29, 2015 11:00AM

Visitation: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home Tuesday, April 28, 2015 2-4 & 7-9PM

Cemetery: Rosehill Crematory

Location: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home

Church: Our Lady Help of Christians R.C.Church