Elsie M. Connell died peacefully in her sleep on Jan. 10 in Naples, Fla. She was 99.
She was the daughter of Elizabeth and Wright MacMillan.
Her husband of 69 years, James R. Connell, died in 2013. She is survived by her three children, James Jr., Elizabeth Henderson, and John; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Elsie received her bachelor of fine arts degree at Connecticut College. After her children were grown, she pursued a masters of library science at Columbia University and graduated with honors. She worked for many years as a librarian at Briarcliff College.
After retiring, she volunteered at local public libraries in Briarcliff Manor, N.Y., Edgartown and Naples, Fla.
She was an accomplished artist who created many paintings, primarily of landscapes local to her residences. She was active in local organizations, entertained frequently and enjoyed spending time with family.
She and her husband had visited the Vineyard since the early 1960s and purchased a summer home in the Edgartown neighborhood of Ocean Heights in 1971. They spent summers on the Vineyard until 2011, when travel became difficult for them and they moved permanently to Naples, Fla. Their Vineyard house has stayed in the family.
A service was held Jan. 17 at Hodges Funeral Home in Naples, Fla.
Memorial donations may be made to Friends of Sengekontacket at sengekontacket.org.
Comments
Comment policy »