Elena Fiengo Millstein entered into eternal peace surrounded by her loving family on May 9. Elena began her life on Kilbourne Street in Hartford where she was embraced and nurtured by a large Italian family. She met the love of her life, Jerry Millstein, at a Saint Anthony’s School dance where he swept her off her feet. Their first encounter led to a wonderful marriage and to a family she adored.
Elena had three children, Carol, Bob and Sharon, who were her pride and joy and whom she loved with all her heart. The three children were blessed to grow up in a home filled with laughter and love. Elena was an outstanding cook who lovingly prepared homemade pasta dishes and breads that made mealtimes memorable. She was skilled at sewing, knitting, and crocheting. She was proud of her DIY abilities and used them to create a beautiful home. She was passionate and unrelenting in supporting and advocating for her children and always seemed to know the right words to remedy life’s inevitable growing pains. Elena’s steadfast faith in God provided her with guidance, joy, strength and peace throughout her life.
Elena was a cancer survivor who crocheted hats for babies and prayer shawls for adults who were fighting their own courageous battles with illness. In addition, she crafted beautiful baptismal blankets for children in her church. Family and friends treasure the many hand-made gifts she lovingly created. Her generosity, selfless dedication to the needs of others and her legacy of kindness will long be remembered.
Elena worked at The Travelers after graduating from Hartford High School. She took time off to raise her family and then returned to work at The Hartford where she was promoted to ARD coordinator. While she enjoyed contributing at the workplace, her family always remained her first priority and foremost passion.
Elena and Jerry enjoyed more than 50 years of marriage filled with mutual respect and love until Jerry’s passing in 2009. Her family is comforted by the certainty that they have been reunited in Heaven. Elena will be sadly missed by her children and their spouses: Carol and Al Lawrence, Dr. Bob Millstein and Dr. Myra Citrin and Sharon and Randy Walker. Elena will always be remembered as a loving grandmother by Gary, Rob, Deana, Shani, Todd, Dan, Jon, Becca, Julia, Lauren and Sara. Elena’s heartwarming hugs, Mickey Mouse pancakes and melt-in-your-mouth, chocolate-chip cookies will be greatly missed by her eleven grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. Elena also leaves her beloved sister and best friend Jeanette Kekes.
Calling hours will be held on Monday, May 13 from 10 to 11 a.m. at Newkirk and Whitney Funeral Home, 318 Burnside Avenue in East Hartford. Following the calling hours Elena’s life will be celebrated in a Roman Catholic Mass at Saint Edmund Campion Parish, 570 Brewer Street, East Hartford at 11:30 a.m. Burial services will be private. It was Elena’s wish that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her memory to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis. TN 38105.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.11.3