Elaine McIlroy

Clerk

Elaine McIlroy was able to realize her dream to live by the ocean early in life when she was hired to be Director of the Wellfleet Public Library in 1981 and found an extraordinary community that turned out to be an even bigger draw than the ocean. She and her husband, writer, actor, director, musician and bookseller Stephen Russell, found themselves happily rooted in sand, raising their now grown children Robin and Peter, growing a Library (Elaine), and birthing well loved community events What for Kids and Yule for Fuel (Stephen). 

Elaine’s connection to the community over her three decades at the Library drew her to serve for the past twelve years on the Wellfleet Housing Authority. She sees the undue burdens on many of our residents who struggle to secure a decent year-round home in the town they love, where they work and want to put down roots and contribute to the diversity of our community. There are many times when a little help will go a long way. 

An Irish poet visiting Wellfleet years ago introduced Elaine to a quote that helps her keep things in perspective ~ “angels can fly because they take themselves lightly” ~ and she hopes that The Fleet Fund will attract many angels.