Helen “Elaine” Carrico, 79, of Loogootee, Indiana, passed away on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
Born on June 7, 1946 in Washington, Indiana, she was the beloved daughter of Avery and Helen (Strange) Smith. Elaine lead a life of love and dedication to her family and those around her.
Elaine was a life-long teacher and a woman of deep faith. She was committed to her family and they were the center of her world. A member of St. John the Evangelist Church, it was important to her to pass that faith on to her children and grandchildren. She was a selfless person, always giving and doing for others. She taught junior high school at Washington Catholic for 20 years. Following her desire to share her faith with others, she went on to graduate from St. Mary’s-of-the-Woods College with a degree in religious education. With her degree, she served as co-director of the religious education program at St. John the Evangelist Church in Loogootee for many years. After retirement, she continued to volunteer for the religious ed program as much as she could.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Robert “Bob” Carrico; three siblings: Raymond & Tom Smith, and Mary Ann Nolan; one daughter-in-law, Cheryl Carrico.
Elaine will be lovingly remembered by her children: Tom (Trish) Carrico & Bob Carrico; her grandchildren: Logan Carrico and Jacob (fiancé Shalyn) Carrico; several nieces and nephews and her constant companion, her dog Scarlett.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Very Rev. J. Kenneth Walker at 10 a.m. on Monday, February 23, 2026 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Loogootee, with burial to follow in St. John Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held on the same day from 9:00 to 9:45 a.m. at the church.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Martin County Humane Society, or to the religious education program at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church.
Condolences may be made online at www.blakefuneralhomes.com
Blake Funeral Home in Loogootee, Indiana, is honored to serve the family of Helen Elaine Carrico.