Elsie Doreen Garnsey

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Elsie Doreen Desai Garnsey, beloved wife, mother, grandmother who passed peacefully into the loving arms of our Lord on March 16, 2025. She is deeply missed and loved by her family and friends. Elsie was born on November 10, 1938, in Colon, Republic of Panama, to Bhula and Cassandra Desai.

She was the youngest of the four Desai children, who always kept her siblings and her hometown Colon in her heart. A woman of strong faith, determination, and personal drive, she excelled at anything that she aimed to achieve. A life-long learner, she obtained her citizenship, GED, and later in life an Associate of Arts degree in Business Administration from Tallahassee Community College. Recognized for her academic achievement, she was not only inducted into the community college Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) honor society but also recognized as a role model for younger students. Later, Elsie went on to achieve a real estate license in the state of Florida.

Elsie volunteered at the Tallahassee VA medical clinic, Disabled American Veterans, was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, and served in the Women of Mary Immaculate society at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. She was dedicated to maintaining her mental and physical health and regularly exercised at the YMCA, until late in life. But most importantly of all, Elsie was a caring person, always finding a way to lend a helping hand to friends and family when they needed it.

She loved to read mystery novels, her favorite authors were Mary Higgins Clark, Stuart Woods, and Earle Stanley Gardner. A global traveler, she visited Europe, Asia, Central America and many states. Her hobbies were porcelain painting, coloring, crochet, puzzles, sudoku and going to the movies. Elsie enjoyed making greeting cards and crafting with her daughter Jeannine. Wherever she resided, she made a point of raising beautiful rose bushes. But her favorite hobby was baking, especially her most requested Christmas recipe, a raisin and cream cheese braid that was always worth the year-long wait.

Christmas was truly her favorite time of the year, where she loved to shop, decorate, and bake for the holidays with her daughter-in-law Cindy. She would routinely break out singing (usually off key) her favorite – Nat King Cole’s Christmas song. As a grandmother, she loved sharing silly little jokes and stories of living in Clayton NY, with Nick and Chris. Whether it was living in the Panama Canal Zone, Clayton NY, Tallahassee FL, Yorktown VA or Columbia MD, Elsie always made the house feel more like home.

Elsie married Captain John Alden Garnsey (Panama Canal Pilot) on March 4, 1960, in Coco Solo, Canal Zone and together they built a life filled with adventure. They traveled the world together and made many friends along the way.

Elsie was preceded in death by her husband: John A. Garnsey, parents: Bhula, Cassandra, brother: Emerson Desai, and sisters: Shirley Desai, and Vilma Desai.

Those left to honor her memory: Son John W. Garnsey and Daughter-in-law Cindy J. Garnsey; Daughter: Jeannine L. Garnsey; Grandsons: Nicholas D. Garnsey, Christopher T. Garnsey and beloved family dogs: Pepper and Mocha Latte.

A funeral mass will be held on 12:00pm, Friday, May 23, 2025, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church 10431 Twin Rivers Rd., Columbia, MD 21044. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations are made to the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church of Tallahassee FL, St. Vincent de Paul charities, or a charity of your choice.

Rest in peace, Mom. Your light will forever shine in our hearts.