Elaine Conner Stow

Bolivia - Elaine "Laine" Virginia Conner Stow, 77, passed away August 31, 2026, at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, North Carolina, surrounded by loved ones. She was born in Baltimore, Maryland on June 23, 1949, the daughter of the late Charles Nelson Conner and Doris Baumann Conner.

A talented artist, Laine shared her creative gifts with her family and community throughout her life. After obtaining her associate's degree from Catonsville Community College, Maryland, she joined the staff of the Ice Follies in San Francisco as a professional costume seamstress. She would spend countless hours in the following decades crafting costumes, special occasion dresses, and accessories from scratch for her daughters' and granddaughters' dance and theater productions.

Upon returning to Baltimore, Laine met Roger Stow while both working in the new computer operations department of Montgomery Ward. They married in 1975, and moved with their firstborn to Durham, North Carolina, in the fall of 1978.

She worked for several years in the Durham Public Schools; as an intermediate assistant, she lightened teachers' workloads and imbued their requests for seasonal or thematic decor with her expert sketches and eye for design. Pen and ink botanical illustration, watercolor, floral arrangement, decorative lettering and painting, and fused glass work were just some of the mediums in which she excelled.

After vacationing on the North Carolina coast since the late 1970s, Laine and Roger retired to the Winding River community in Bolivia, N.C., in 2015. Laine relished her time there, where her beloved waterbirds provided daily inspiration. Laine was active with the Social Committee, Artisan Fair and multiple non-profit community organizations, and was known for her award-winning artistic creations.

Laine cherished her daughters, grandchildren, friends, and pets, whom she loved fiercely.

Laine is survived by her beloved husband of 51 years, Roger; her daughters, Kathryn Hotard (Alan); Christina Stow (Rebecca Bute); and granddaughters, Madeleine and Danielle Hotard. She was preceded in death by her sister, Patricia Conner Duncan.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers or other remembrances, a donation may be made in Laine's memory to the Birthday Wishes Ministry of Brunswick County, N.C. https://birthdaywishesministry.org/north-carolina-chapter

Tranquility Cremation by Aquamation

910-769-1615