Elsa Steinle Bower, 91, of New Haven, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 22, 2020 at her home. She was the beloved wife of the late Merritt P. Bower. Elsa was born in New Haven on July 16, 1928 and was the daughter of the late Alfred and Frieda Kaiser Steinle. She had worked as an administrative assistant for Yale Law School Alumni Fund for many years. Elsa was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and the Harugari Singing Society Inc. in West Haven for many years. She was the type that always stayed busy and enjoyed knitting, crocheting, painting and music and was the oldest living member of the Pilgrim Congregational Church. Elsa’s greatest joy was spending time with her family whom she loved unconditionally. Mother of Kathleen (Roger) Singer and Lynn Shavell. Grandmother of Michael, Louis and Caitlin Shavell. Great-grandmother of Xavier Shavell, Aurora Natale, Parker Shavell, Logan Shavell and Eli Brunetto. Also survived by many living cousins in the U.S. and Germany. Predeceased by her brother Robert Steinle and son-in-law Louis Shavell.
The visiting hours will be on Thursday from 4 to 8 pm at The Havens Family, North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue. Family and friends are invited to go directly to Pilgrim Congregational Church, 65 East Grand Avenue, New Haven on Friday morning at 10:30 to attend a funeral service and are also invited to attend the committal service immediately following at the In Memoriam Cemetery, Wallingford.
My condolences to the Family! So sorry to hear about the passing of my Cousin and God-Mother! May God’s peace which passes all understanding comfort everyone! John (and Cari) Kaiser – North Carolina
Our condolences to Kathy, Lynn and family on the passing of their Mother. Our prayers are with you. Wally and Kathy Kaiser.
Your Mom always held a special place in my heart. She was my big sister when I came to the states. She made my first Christmas something special that I will never forget. We have maintained contact over all these years and I’m so glad now I had the opportunity to speak with her (FaceTime) one more time 3 weeks ago. She looked strong and vibrant and I will always remember that. We will miss her but she will always remain in our thoughts and memory. Wally
Prayers to Kathy and family on your loss. Elsa will be missed by so many who have known her. Her spirited conversation will be missed as I became accustomed to weekly at coffee hr at church.
Rich & Eileen🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
My heartfelt condolences Kathy and Lynn. Your mother was a great lady. My mother’s best childhood friend and my father’s cousin. She will always be in our hearts.