Last night, I was remembering how Clarita taught me to make balaywa over 35 years ago; when we worked together at Emily Shop. 

I got an urge to look her up and found that I had just missed by days the opportunity to thank her verbally. Thanks Mom!

We will miss Clarital.  from the Fair Haven Bridge Buddies.  Helen, Judy, Berniece, Ellon and Dot.

Lisa, so sorry to hear of your losing your Mother. I live in Auburn now and will not be able to attend the visitation and Mass.  But I'll be thinking of all of you and praying for the repose of your wonderful Mother's incredible soul.  May your collective memories of "life with Clarita" help you and your brothers through this difficult mourning.

Julie Boggan Kaminsky

I am so sad and sorry for the great loss of your beautiful mom.  I loved going to visit her when she was at Fairhaven.  She reminded me so much of my mom because she was always so grateful to anyone that came to visit her.  She loved having friends from St. Elias come see her.  She was a beautiful lady on the inside and out.  She will be missed by many.

the love of a good woman,by karen cook a dear friend of the family, for i new you well as we walked the stairs of your home and as we talked of all that went on,i seen the love of you as the light came across the room,and now that your gone,my tears i will shed because i know my dear friend has gone and left me all alone,for you will be missed but one thing about it you have a nice home, god bless you and your loving children ,tim,micheal,lisa,manuel, i love yall

My prayers are with your family at this sad time, may God Almighty be your strength and support. Psalms 83:18. ~I.Needham

Dear Lisa, Tim, Michael, and Manuel,

When I was little, your mother had all the beauty, grace and allure of a movie star to me. She was the most exotic, interesting relative I had. I loved Brownie meetings in the afternoons at your house when her laughter and singing would fill the air as she helped all of us little girls with our badges and taught us songs in Spanish. She was funny and spontaneous.

When I got older, I realized she was the most dignified person I knew, so worldly and sophisticated. She was always dressed meticulously and never appeared unladylike in voice or manner. I was a little bit in awe of her.

I learned so much by her example. I admired her skills in sewing and dressmaking, so much so that I asked for a couple of private lessons, which she graciously granted. She helped me make a dress from a pattern I had found and loved very much. I ended up patterning my wedding dress from that same dress that we made together.

I remember seeing her at work at the Emily Shop in later years, and again, marveling at her beauty, no matter how old she was.

I'm still astonished by the fact that just six years ago, at the age of 91, she helped rework my mother's 59 year-old wedding gown so a granddaughter could be married in it. Your mother attended that wedding in a wheelchair after breaking her ankle a few days before. She told me she wasn't about to miss seeing that dress come down the aisle after she had worked so hard on it.

The fact that your mother lived so long and had such a wonderful life slightly mitigates the pain of letting her go. Though we mourn the loss of her, we must celebrate and take great pride in the legacy of your amazing mother. She touched the hearts of many, many people throughout her long, illustrious life, and left love wherever she went. 
 
I am so glad I stopped by her room last Friday on my way out of town to give one last set of hugs and kisses and absorb a moment of her presence. Whether she knew I was there or not, I got that last sweet moment for me. I needed it more than she did. She was peaceful, calm, ready. 

     I love you all so very much. I know this last year had been a difficult one for your mother and all of you after losing Robert last September. I have been thinking of him, too, and the timing of it all. I am unable to be at the service but will be with you in thoughts and prayers. My heartfelt condolences and sympathy go out to all of you and your families.
 
Sincerely, your cousin, Renée Bostany

OBITUARY

Clarita Mansour Elkourie

August 4, 1918 – September 19, 2015

Johns-Ridout's Funeral Parlors

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