Elaine Tanzer, z”l, passed away Sept. 8 after a fall. She was 77. Survivors include Tanzer’s children, Joshua Tanzer, Jessica Tanzer Conroy, Rachel Tanzer and Elan Tanzer, as well as one grandson.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jacob, in 2018. Elaine Rhine, a Portland schoolteacher, and Jacob Tanzer married in 1974. Jacob was a Portland lawyer and judge who spent time with the U.S. Department of Justice. 

In 1979, Elaine founded of one of Portland’s first specialty food stores, Elephants Delicatessen. She developed her passion for good cheese, pasta and wine during a year abroad in northern Italy while studying at Portland State University.

On the Elephants Deli website, she is quoted as saying: “The best thing about Elephants and the not-so-secret ingredient is the people. When I started the store in 1979, I had no idea that so many wonderful people would come to work here or that there would be so many terrific customers. Just think, 40 years of smart, funny people, and delicious food.”