Alma Louise Elworth

Alma (Almy) Louise Elworth of Bellevue, Washington passed away on April 12, 2024, at the age of 96. She was born on February 22, 1928, in Dayton, Ohio where she grew up. Following graduation from Julienne High School, she spent a year living with her aunt and uncle in Queens, New York and working in Manhattan. She enrolled at the University of Dayton, earned a place on the Dean’s list, and received a Bachelor of Science degree in music education in 1953. She met Charles Elworth, her future husband, at the University of Dayton; they were both part of a group of friends who socialized together at her mother’s home. She married Charly in 1953 and followed him to Athens, Ohio and Rochester, New York where he completed a master’s and PhD at Ohio University and University of Rochester, respectively. Early in her marriage she taught 3rd grade at the local catholic school in Rochester. Almy and Charley began their family in Rochester with the births of Julie and Brian, and added Christopher and Cecile after they settled in Bellevue. In between Rochester and Bellevue, they lived in Poughkeepsie, New York for two years where Charlie worked at Vassar College. During that time, they cared for a foster child, and during the holidays brought children from the local orphanage to celebrate with the family.

Once her children were raised, she became a committed volunteer, including working with children with Down Syndrome and helping with the Providence food bank led by Sister Mary Regina Bomber and later by Sister Beatrice La Framboise. As part of serving those in need and at Providence Regina House, she also prepared salads for AIDS patients. More recently she had been part of a team that prepared meals for those living in tent cities on the Eastside.

Almy was a founding member of St. Madeleine Sophie Parish and was an active member of St. Therese Guild for over 40 years. In 2019 she received the Blessed Margaret of Castello Award for her contributions to St. Madeleine Sophie Catholic School.

She took up Mahjong and played with her friends for more than a decade. She was also an avid Scrabble player, although she refused to play Scrabble with Charlie for 10 years after she beat him for the first time in 1959. Music was always a part of her life whether clerical pieces or show tunes. She shared this interest with many of her grandchildren, attending recitals and supporting their musical endeavors.

She was “sharp as a tack,” had a great sense of humor, and was a stranger to none. She made friends quickly and, wherever possible, kept them for life. She enjoyed learning, except anything regarding the computer.

Almy is survived by her children, Julie, Brian, and Christopher; grandchildren, Nikolaus, Daniel, Mary Louise, Jessica, Kayla, Wyatt, Anthony, Angie, and Jon Luc; and five great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles L. Elworth and daughter, Cecile Rose Elworth.

The family would like to thank the medical staff at Overlake Hospital for the care and compassion they showed Alma Louise in her final days.

Family and friends are invited to attend memorial services at St. Madeleine Sophie in Bellevue on May 10th, at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in her honor to St. Madeleine Sophie Catholic School or your local food bank.