Elsye L O'Donnell

Elsye Lillian Larsen O’Donnell, 87, of Danbury, passed away peacefully at her home on October 19, 2011. Born in Danbury on September 11, 1924 to Bernard and Agnes Larsen, Elsye was predeceased by her beloved husband, described in their 1947 Danbury News Times wedding announcement as tall and good-looking Matthias James O’Donnell of Brookfield Center. Elsye was a vibrant and hard-working woman who graduated from Danbury High School in 1942 and thereafter attended Danbury Teacher’s College. Elsye had a long career in communications, with Western Union Telegraph, Delong’s Answering Service of Danbury, and, until her retirement only two weeks ago, with Atlantic Communications. Elsye was a member of St. Joseph’s Church, the Ladies Auxiliary VFW, and the Women of the Moose.

Affectionately known to many as “Muth,” Elsye was predeceased by her beloved daughter, Karen McIntosh of New Fairfield, and is survived by her devoted children, daughter Lauren O’Donnell Weinstein and her husband Dr. Paul Weinstein of West Palm Beach, Florida; son Mark M. O’Donnell and wife Judie Newsome O’Donnell of Danbury; and daughter Susan O’Donnell and former husband Stephen Rotondo of Simsbury. Elsye also leaves ten beloved grandchildren, Amy and Sean McIntosh; William and Gregory Mensching; Alex Weinstein; Ryan, Kevin and Matthew O’Donnell, and Rachel and Emma Rotondo. She was predeceased by several brothers and sisters and leaves her loving sister-in-law Patricia Larsen of Danbury and brother-in-law George Waterbury of Florida. Elsye will be missed by her wide circle of friends, relatives, nieces, nephews, and caregivers.

Friends may call at the Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St., Danbury on Saturday from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. where a brief funeral service will immediately follow. Internment will be private at Wooster Cemetery where her children will lay her to rest beside her husband Matt.

The family expresses deep gratitude and appreciation for the care provided to Elsye in her final days and respectfully request in lieu of flowers that donations be made to Regional Hospice and Home Care of Western Connecticut, 405 Main Street, Danbury, CT 06810.