Elena was born on Oct.12, 1926 in San Jose Costa Rica to Jose and Elvia Sarkis. At the age of 18 she moved to Boston, MA to attend the New England Conservatory of Music. After graduation, before returning home to marry her fiancé, she arrived in Burlington, VT to visit her cousins. It was there she met the love of her life George Washington Boccuzzi. It was love at first sight for him! He proposed after two weeks and they were married 2 months later on her birthday (no, she was not pregnant). Elena taught piano for many years and later owned and operated Uncle Leo’s (grocery store) in Shelburne with George and their daughters. Later she worked at the Howard Bank in Burlington for several years. After George passed away Elena moved to Wilmington N.C. to be close to her daughter Lisa. She was a wonderful cook and loved making traditional family favorites for her children and grandchildren. Elena will be remembered as a woman of strong faith and great wisdom.
Elena was predeceased by her immediate family in Costa Rica, her husband George Washington of 46 years in 1996 and her grandson Brian in 2000.
Elena is survived by her 3 daughters Elvia Atherton and her husband John of Shelburne, Phyllis Boccuzzi and her partner Holly Lindstrom of Littleton, CO and Lisa Lindberg of Wilmington, N.C., her grandchildren Michael Atherton and his wife Nicole of Shelburne and Cara Mia Gracey of Wilmington N.C. She also leaves two great grandsons Isaiah Atherton and Maxwell Atherton of Shelburne, VT.
The family would like to acknowledge Trinity Grove Nursing Facility for their outstanding personal care they gave our mother. A special word of praise to Mary Beth Casper for her gestures of “I love you” to our mother. Also to Pepper, Katie and Phyllis thank you so much, you were exceptional.
Arrangements will be held later this summer in Burlington, Vermont.
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