Obituary for Elaine Carmela Braunsdorf
Elaine Carmela Braunsdorf, 90, passed away on Monday, April 27, 2020 at Stonebrook Village, Windsor Locks, CT.
Elaine was born to the late Harry and Teresa DiCostanzo on November 27, 1929 in Waterbury, CT. She was a graduate of Crosby High School, Class of 1947, and attended Post Junior College in Waterbury, CT.
She is survived by her beloved husband, William (Bill) John Braunsdorf. They were married on May 12, 1951 at the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes in Waterbury, CT. She is additionally survived by her three children: Dr. Mark Braunsdorf, PhD and his wife, Renee Braunsdorf, of Cheshire, CT; Elizabeth Braunsdorf Duke and her husband, John Duke, of Fairfield, CT; and Lynn Braunsdorf Mervosh and her husband, Todd Mervosh, of Suffield, CT. Elaine was also a loving grandmother to her many grandchildren: Jacob Braunsdorf and his wife, Nina DiGregory Braunsdorf, of Pittsburgh, PA; Matthew Braunsdorf and his wife, Caitlyn Tierney Braunsdorf, of Tampa, FL; John Duke Jr. and Tessa Elaine Duke of Fairfield, CT; and Anna Grace Mervosh of Suffield, CT. Elaine’s family continues to grow with her four-month-old great granddaughter, Lily Laine Braunsdorf, who was named in her honor.
Elaine took great pride in her family and her home. “Nana,” as she was known, was absolutely devoted to her children and grandchildren. She and “Papa” (Bill) traveled all over Connecticut to attend their school, sporting, cultural, and scouting events, always beaming with love and pride at their achievements. She loved to cook and entertain family and friends at the holidays by preparing traditional meals and setting the dining room table with her best linens, china, and finery. Friday nights, however, were reserved for takeout pizza—a family tradition enjoyed by her children and grandchildren. Elaine also cherished her many friends, establishing a “Bridge Group” in high school that lasted for decades. For years, Elaine crafted eye-catching table and window displays at the former Magnolia Shoppe in Cheshire, CT to share her love of antiques. Boy, did she have great taste in everything! She loved reading about current events and trends: national, local news, home decorating, and fashion. On weekends, Elaine loved to go shopping at the Westfarms Mall and out to lunch or tea with her daughters and granddaughters. Her talent for hand crafting cards for every occasion was exceptional. One was considered very lucky to receive one of her creations! She enjoyed attending productions at the Goodspeed Opera House, concerts at the old Oakdale Musical Theater in Wallingford, CT, and loved listening to the music of Johnny Mathis. The screened porch at Elaine and Bill’s former home in Cheshire was their summer sanctuary. Elaine served seasonal meals every day out there and then would enjoy a well-deserved sit with a good book on her chaise lounge. She was always ahead of her time, especially in the world of fitness. Throughout the years she worked out, first at home to Richard Simmons and Jane Fonda, and then multiple times a week at her local gym. Together with her husband, she loved taking walks on the Linear Path in Cheshire/Hamden and enjoyed taking vacations across New England, the Caribbean, and Europe. For years, Elaine and Bill packed up the family and soaked up the sun on the beaches of Cape Cod and Kennebunkport, ME. They also enjoyed a special 50th anniversary trip to Europe, where they rode the Orient Express between London and Paris and toured Oxford University. Elaine enjoyed a life full of love for her home, children, grandchildren, neighbors, and friends.
The family would like to thank the nurses, aides, hospice team of Stonebrook Village, Windsor Locks, CT that so lovingly cared for Elaine. They went above and beyond the call of duty.
Elaine was born to the late Harry and Teresa DiCostanzo on November 27, 1929 in Waterbury, CT. She was a graduate of Crosby High School, Class of 1947, and attended Post Junior College in Waterbury, CT.
She is survived by her beloved husband, William (Bill) John Braunsdorf. They were married on May 12, 1951 at the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes in Waterbury, CT. She is additionally survived by her three children: Dr. Mark Braunsdorf, PhD and his wife, Renee Braunsdorf, of Cheshire, CT; Elizabeth Braunsdorf Duke and her husband, John Duke, of Fairfield, CT; and Lynn Braunsdorf Mervosh and her husband, Todd Mervosh, of Suffield, CT. Elaine was also a loving grandmother to her many grandchildren: Jacob Braunsdorf and his wife, Nina DiGregory Braunsdorf, of Pittsburgh, PA; Matthew Braunsdorf and his wife, Caitlyn Tierney Braunsdorf, of Tampa, FL; John Duke Jr. and Tessa Elaine Duke of Fairfield, CT; and Anna Grace Mervosh of Suffield, CT. Elaine’s family continues to grow with her four-month-old great granddaughter, Lily Laine Braunsdorf, who was named in her honor.
Elaine took great pride in her family and her home. “Nana,” as she was known, was absolutely devoted to her children and grandchildren. She and “Papa” (Bill) traveled all over Connecticut to attend their school, sporting, cultural, and scouting events, always beaming with love and pride at their achievements. She loved to cook and entertain family and friends at the holidays by preparing traditional meals and setting the dining room table with her best linens, china, and finery. Friday nights, however, were reserved for takeout pizza—a family tradition enjoyed by her children and grandchildren. Elaine also cherished her many friends, establishing a “Bridge Group” in high school that lasted for decades. For years, Elaine crafted eye-catching table and window displays at the former Magnolia Shoppe in Cheshire, CT to share her love of antiques. Boy, did she have great taste in everything! She loved reading about current events and trends: national, local news, home decorating, and fashion. On weekends, Elaine loved to go shopping at the Westfarms Mall and out to lunch or tea with her daughters and granddaughters. Her talent for hand crafting cards for every occasion was exceptional. One was considered very lucky to receive one of her creations! She enjoyed attending productions at the Goodspeed Opera House, concerts at the old Oakdale Musical Theater in Wallingford, CT, and loved listening to the music of Johnny Mathis. The screened porch at Elaine and Bill’s former home in Cheshire was their summer sanctuary. Elaine served seasonal meals every day out there and then would enjoy a well-deserved sit with a good book on her chaise lounge. She was always ahead of her time, especially in the world of fitness. Throughout the years she worked out, first at home to Richard Simmons and Jane Fonda, and then multiple times a week at her local gym. Together with her husband, she loved taking walks on the Linear Path in Cheshire/Hamden and enjoyed taking vacations across New England, the Caribbean, and Europe. For years, Elaine and Bill packed up the family and soaked up the sun on the beaches of Cape Cod and Kennebunkport, ME. They also enjoyed a special 50th anniversary trip to Europe, where they rode the Orient Express between London and Paris and toured Oxford University. Elaine enjoyed a life full of love for her home, children, grandchildren, neighbors, and friends.
The family would like to thank the nurses, aides, hospice team of Stonebrook Village, Windsor Locks, CT that so lovingly cared for Elaine. They went above and beyond the call of duty.