Gloria M. Elsner, 89, Seymour, passed away Friday, May 26, 2023, at her residence, surrounded by her family who dearly loved the woman who was Mom, Grandma, Great and Great-Great Grandma to so many.

Mrs. Elsner was a member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church, Seymour. She graduated from Archbishop Carroll High School in Washington, D.C.

Mrs. Elsner worked at both Golden Key Restaurant and 3D Department Store over the years. She was a member of the Daughters of Isabella at St. Ambrose, where she served in multiple official capacities and attended conventions. She also sang in the church choir and at many weddings and funerals. As a member of the Guild Volunteers at Schneck Medical Center in Seymour, she loved working at the information desk and in the gift shop, earning volunteer pins for serving up to 8,000 hours. In 2013, she began volunteering in the gift shop at Lutheran Nursing Home. In addition, she was a member of the American Legion, Eagles and Elks Ladies Auxiliaries.

Mrs. Elsner enjoyed being on bowling leagues, as well as attending and participating in tournaments throughout the U.S. and Canada. She loved traveling, taking trips to Hawaii, California, and Texas.  She especially loved visiting the EWTN Catholic network campus in Alabama, the Notre Dame campus in South Bend, and her home area of Washington, D.C. She also loved going on ocean cruises and attending concerts of her favorite group Alabama. Mrs. Elsner loved her collections of Angels, Precious Moments, salt & pepper shakers, Beanie Babies, Holiday Barbies–to name a few–and all things purple, her favorite color.  Most of all, she loved God and lived a life full of faith and giving.

Born October 26, 1933, in Washington, D.C., she was the daughter of Elsie and Charles Armstrong. She married Francis J. Elsner on October 4, 1952, who preceded her in death.

Mrs. Elsner is survived by her children, Charles (Glenna) Elsner, Cecilia Sparks, Brenda (Buck) Bean, Cynthia Gant, Joseph Elsner, Eileen (Larry) Sacks, Mary (David) Trimble, Gina (Randall) Conkright, and Bernadette (Brad) Dial, 18 grandchildren, 34 great grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, numerous nieces and nephews, and her dear friend Judy Vance.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, stepfather, son Andrew “Andy” Elsner, brother Charles Armstrong, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Leonard and Joan Elsner, and her dear cousin Gail Sullivan.

Father Dan Staublin and Deacon Mike East will conduct a funeral Mass, Saturday, June 3, at 11:00 a.m., at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, Seymour. Burial will take place at Riverview Cemetery following Mass.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Voss Chapel, Seymour, and from 10:00am until time of service Saturday at the church.  A Rosary service will be held at 3:45 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Memorial Donations may be made to St. Ambrose Catholic School, Seymour, or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

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