Friend Evelyn Hernández said she had been struggling with liver disease.
Elaine had been on health leave from a teaching position at Lehman College. Before that, she worked for WNYC Radio from 2006 until 2009.
Elaine started her 30-year journalism career at The Akron Beacon Journal in 1982. Four years later, she joined New York Newsday, where she was a staff reporter until 1995.
She also worked for El Diario La Prensa, The Washington Post and Time magazine.
A a memorial service will be held for her next month in New York.