Obituary of Elsie Louise Murray Jolly

Pomfret Center - Elsie Louise Murray Jolly, 92, of Pomfret Center, died peacefully on Friday, January 22nd, 2016 with her beloved husband, Armand Jolly, at her side. In a devoted partnership that spanned over 68 years, Elsie and Armand raised a loving family. She leaves her daughter Wendy Ciparelli and husband Peter of Colchester, her son Dennis Jolly and his wife Donna of Hebron; her brother Frank Murray of Putnam; six grandchildren: Jessica, Christopher (and his wife Katie), Gregory, Angela, Stephen (and his wife Zahra) and Amanda; seven great grandchildren: Tyler, Abigail, Beckett, Thea, Nahla, and newborn twins Arlo and Rhys (born Jan. 22, 2016); and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her great grandson Oliver; her sister Margaret Erskine; and her brothers, Prescott and Tom Baker, and Walter (Butch), John (Jack) and Harley Murray. Elsie was admired, loved and respected for her intelligence, common sense, honesty, and warmth. She generously shared these traits with her close-knit family, many friends, her young students, and fellow community volunteers. Elsie exuded leadership in a quiet and powerful way. She also made some mean bread and butter pickles, highly prized at every family gathering, from summer picnics at Quaddick Lake to celebrations at her children’s homes. Elsie was born July 17, 1923 in Pomfret, the daughter of Edward and Addie (Bryden) Murray. Elsie graduated from Putnam High School in 1941, and having caught the attention of a local superintendent, she was chosen to receive a scholarship to Willimantic State Teachers College (now Eastern CT State University). While there, she was elected to the Epsilon-Nu Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi. Graduating in 1945, she went on to teach elementary school in Manchester for two years and then first and second grade at Brooklyn Elementary School for 33 years. Upon her retirement in 1980, the community came together to honor her on “Elsie L. Jolly Day.” And even years afterward, former students would stop her on the street or call her to tell her how much she meant to them. Even with a busy career and family, Elsie made time to lead and serve numerous organizations, especially the Putnam Emblem Club #209. She served as corresponding secretary and president, and as Asst. Chaplin of the Supreme Emblem Club. She was also a member of Pomfret Seniors, Pomfret and Killingly Historical Associations, and AARP (national and Putnam). Elsie was a life member of the State and Windham Tolland Teachers Association and, along with Armand and her family members, was active with the USS Emmons Association. She was a communicant of Most Holy Trinity Church in Pomfret. The family is grateful for the loving care given to Elsie while she was at the Westview Health Care Center in Dayville. A funeral service will be held Wed., Jan 27th at 9:30 a.m. from the Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove Street, Putnam, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at Most Holy Trinity Church, 568 Pomfret St., Pomfret. Calling Hours will be Tues. from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will take place in the spring in Abington Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Elsie’s memory to Pomfret Seniors or Brooklyn Education Association (scholarships). Share a memory at www.smithandwalkerfh.com