Elaine Morhardt (Bishop)

Elaine (Bishop) Morhardt died peacefully at her home with her family by her side on Monday, (July, 1, 2013) at the age of 72. Born on November 28, 1940 to Charles Harold Bishop and Artenis Elizabeth (White) Bishop of Syracuse, NY. From the age of three, she was raised by guardians, Kemp and June Stevens of Syracuse, NY. During her childhood, she established a life-long, loving bond with her aunt Jean Stevens, spending many of her summers at “the farm” in Wyalusing, PA. Elaine graduated Central High School in Syracuse, NY in 1958 and continued her education at Lennox Hill Hospital school of nursing in New York City, graduating in 1961. After graduating, she spent some time modeling and traveled across the country as a nurse before settling in as an RN at Hartford Hospital. She was also a talented artist who enjoyed ceramics and painting with water colors and charcoal. Elaine’s genuine compassion for people made her nursing career a natural choice and that compassion encompassed every aspect of her being. In the late 60’s and early 70’s, she assisted her husband in the establishment of his physician’s practice in West Hartford in addition to raising three children. In the late 70’s through the 90’s, she raised her three children as a working mother, working as a private duty nurse while also going back to school for massage therapy and ultimately establishing her own massage therapy practice. Before retiring in the early 2000’s, she returned to working as a private duty nurse. Upon retirement, she dedicated her energy to being a devoted mother and grandmother. Elaine was predeceased by her divorced husband, Dr. Charles Morhardt of West Hartford; her brother, John Bishop of Homosassa Springs, FL and many very dear friends. She is survived by her three children: Margo Melillo and her husband Robert of Wethersfield; Kemp Morhardt and his wife Debra of West Hartford and Chris Morhardt and his wife Victoria of Fort Pierce, FL; her ten grandchildren: Ryan, Taylor and Paige Melillo; Allison, Adam and Emily Morhardt; Lindsey and Lilyana Morhardt and Kristina and Kyle Mallette; her sister, Phyllis Thorne of Syracuse, NY; three brothers: Charles Bishop and his wife Joan of Homosassa, FL; James Bishop and his wife Sharon of Royse City, TX and Robert Bishop and his wife Sandy of Scotia, NY, as well as many nieces and nephews. Elaine was a very special lady who touched many people’s lives, none of whom will ever forget her love and genuine caring. She was a loving grandmother, mother, sister and daughter and she will be greatly missed. She enjoyed spending time with her family and her grandchildren will always remember her for their special one-on-one outings. Her family would like to express special thanks to all the wonderful friends and family who contributed to her care and comfort, as well as her thoughtful neighbors. Calling hours will be Friday (July 5) from 3-7 p.m. at the D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd., Wethersfield. Funeral services and burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Elaine’s memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, 825 Brook St., I-91 Tech Ctr., Rocky Hill, CT 06067. For online expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.desopo.com.