Elsie R. Blaising

Elsie Rosalie Wood Fitzpatrick Blaising, born July 19, 1924, peacefully passed away the evening of August 26, 2026, in Ossian, IN, securing a legacy culminated after 102 years of life. Mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, Elsie made indelible impacts that shaped the lives of so many who knew and loved her. Her family is immeasurably proud to call her ours.

Born in Kokomo to what would come to be known as the Greatest Generation, she grew up in Elwood, Indiana, daughter to Mason and Mabel (Welch) Wood, and sister to four brothers – Woody, Gene, Dick, and Joe. Inherently made of sterner stuff, her childhood was largely lived during the time of the Great Depression and World War II. She knew homes without indoor plumbing and witnessed WWII blackouts, yet always had nothing but happy recollections of childhood, having enjoyed a strong family unit filled with love and protectiveness. Even her earliest days of childhood were amazingly chronicled in photography – beautiful, well-preserved photographs we’ve had the privilege of poring over with her over the years. She played piano beautifully and would often be called upon to accompany her childhood friend’s dance performances, so much so that her mother would always have a dress pressed and ready for when the knock at the door came.

While WWII waged on, she attended Miami of Ohio in Oxford and joined a sorority. She later finished her teaching degree at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, and became engaged to U.S. Marine Robert Fitzpatrick, also of Elwood, Indiana, on a confetti-filled, sparkling New Year’s Eve in 1947, surrounded by friends. They married in August of that year. Elsie and Bob later moved to Bloomington, Indiana, where in 1950 they welcomed their first daughter, Jill, while residing in a cozy trailer as Bob finished up his teaching degree. Two years later, their family grew with the addition of another daughter, Judy. After graduation, they relocated to Fort Wayne, IN, and settled into a home on East Wayne Street.

In the mid 1960s, Elsie gracefully became a widow, and her daughters would recount her quiet, but fierce strength of being both a caregiver and a mother. She would later remarry Mel Blaising and begin a new chapter in life as her daughters embarked on adult life and eventually gifted her with grandchildren. Elsie was the definition of a perfect grandmother – no one did it better and, in their eyes, no one ever will. Her grandchildren, Sarah, Shelley, and Nathan are forever blessed and better because of their grandmother.

Beach trips to North Carolina that began when Jill and Judy were young became an annual summer mainstay, and the vacations created countless memories that are still fondly remembered during every family get together. Elsie was the appointed Navigator with her trusty Rand McNally atlas, devising the best route from northern Indiana to southern North Carolina. And wouldn’t you know it, when GPS finally became a thing, it was her EXACT route that GPS suggested. She also earned the name of Sunscreen Police, which was noted on her annual beach t-shirt.

Elsie was an avid IU basketball fan. She watched the games on TV while listening to Don Fischer announce them over her radio. She was thrilled to meet and talk with Don Fischer at a home game, and the picture of the two of them is a family favorite.

Her music tastes ranged from Andy Williams to Michael Jackson. In recent weeks, we played these old favorites for her and she would often bop along to the music.

In the 1980’s, Elsie would receive a misdiagnosis of a progressive eye disease that prompted the purchase of a home on Tacoma Avenue with her daughter, Judy, and shared with her young granddaughters, Sarah and Shelley. It would start yet another chapter – the renovation of a home to a duplex with the expectation of eventual caregiving. Thankfully, that did not become a reality until much, much later. The Tacoma House was filled with love and laughter and quickly became the family gathering place for birthdays, holidays, and everything in between. Elsie retired at the age of 87 and continued to be a force for years to come, maintaining her humor, wit, and brilliance. When the time came for needing extra support, help was right next door.

Her stories, too many to share here, are gifts. She was a captivating storyteller who loved sharing memories, especially from her childhood. Her daughters garner different attributes from her in all the best ways, and her grandchildren were cherished. She had a true interest in everyone she loved and was always there for them - she attended every event, cooked favorite foods, baked favorite treats, acted as caregiver during illnesses, supported interests and careers, and was a constant presence of unwavering love. Her great-grandchildren - Andrew, Allison, George, and Harry - are forever enriched for having known Grandma like they do - a grandma who always had a stocked candy drawer and open arms to run into. Elsie’s eyes lit up whenever she saw or talked about her family. She made everyone feel special and was so proud of everyone for reasons unique to them.

This carried over for those who knew her as a sibling, aunt, or friend. From card games in the Bloomington trailer to late night hangouts with neighbors to road trip adventures to long chats on the back deck, Elsie cherished time with loved ones. She was the salt of the earth. Her chuckle was disarming, her kindness unmatched, and her friendship golden.

Daughter to the late Mason and Mabel (Welch) Wood, she was preceded in death by first husband Robert Fitzpatrick, second husband Melville Blaising, and siblings Wendell Wood of Charlotte, NC, Leonard Wood of Annandale, VA, and Joseph Wood of Elwood, IN. She is survived by daughters Jill Maureen Fitzpatrick Fisher and Judith Ellen Fitzpatrick May of Fort Wayne, IN, brother Richard Wood of Olathe, KS, grandchildren Sarah Ellen May Silva of Fort Wayne, IN, Shelley May (Jordan) Cuskaden of Fishers, IN, Nathan Robert Fitzpatrick Fisher of Los Angeles, CA, and great-grandchildren Andrew Michael Silva, Allison Leigh Silva, George Fitzpatrick Cuskaden, and Harrison Haymond Cuskaden.

Elsie was surrounded by family bedside for one final afternoon, and we laughed, cried, looked through photographs, reminisced, and watched over her as she has done for us our entire lives. Again, as family, we are so proud and thankful that we are able to call her ours.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions can be made to GiveHear, 130 W Main Street, Suite 150, Fort Wayne, IN 46802.