Elaine A. Bessinger, 78, of Clearwater Beach Florida, formerly of Hamden, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 3, 2019 with her loving family by her side. She was the beloved wife of Robert N. Bessinger, Sr. of 58 years. Elaine was born in New Haven on August 13, 1941 and was the daughter of the late Ralph “Curly” and Elvira Demartino D’Errico. She had worked as a jeweler and along with her partner Annette Velardi, owned Elan’s Jewelers for many years, a well-loved store in the Town of Hamden. Diamonds were her passion. Elaine loved to cook and entertain; any gather-ing became a party with much food and drink. She cooked with her soul and loved to feed people. She had a lifelong love for Johnny Mathis and his music and attended as many of his concerts as possible. You can’t hear a Johnny song without thinking of Elaine. The love for her family and friends were what she lived for and that special love she gave to everyone will live in our hearts forever. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren were her heart and soul. Mother of Lori Bessinger and the late Robert N. Bessinger Jr. Grandmother of Christina Bessinger and Robert (Cari) Bessinger III and Elaina (Zack) Johnson. Great-grandmother of Cameron, Chase and Cade. Also survived by her brother Ralph D’Errico, Jr.
The visiting hours will be Thursday morning from 9 to 12 noon in the North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue. Interment will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Hamden. Should Friends desire memorial contributions may be made to the Suncoast Hospice, Building # 720, 5771 Roosevelt Blvd, Clearwater, Fla 33760