Loved Family, Children and Gardening
Mrs. Elsie M. Horvath, affectionately called "Mom Mom" was called home to be with the Lord on January 28th at her daughter's home, surrounded by her loving family. She was the wife of the late James Horvath.
Mrs. Horvath was born in New Britain, daughter of the late Ignace and Theresa Kellerman Stessel. She was raised in Newtown and graduated from Hawley High School.
Mom Mom was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Everyone who knew her, called her Mom Mom. She moved from Newtown to Southbury in 1943 and volunteered for the following organizations: CCD classes at Sacred Heart Church, girl scouts (teaching young girls sewing and knitting) and working on projects for the less fortunate children with Easter baskets and Christmas gifts, Southbury Volunteer Ambulance Association, assisted with the giving of exams to MRT and EMT students for Northwest Emergency Medical Services, working on Seminars. She loved working in the greenhouse for her grandson and had a passion for flowers. Her home and gardens reflected many varieties of flowers. She was also very famous for her chocolate chip cookies, cheese soufflé©s and her favorite orange marmalade thumbprint cookies.
Survivors include two daughters, Theresa Schmidt of Southbury and Julianne Poulin of Montville, NJ, and son-in-law Norman Schmidt of Southbury, her grandchildren, Norman Schmidt Jr. and Dr. Sara Russell of Norwell, MA, Lisamay Cleary-Cast and Bruce Cast of Southbury, Jacqueline Pedrazzi and her husband John of Denville, NJ, Brian Poulin of Staten Island and Michael Poulin of Montville, NJ, her great grandchildren, Joshua Cleary and companion Rebecca Johnson, Justin and Hannah Cleary, Alyssa and Justin Cast all of Southbury, Kayley and Connor Pedrazzi of NJ, as well as many close neighbors and friends who called her "their Mom Mom"." She was predeceased by a sister Margaret Nester, a brother Dr. George Stessel and a son-in-law Raymond Poulin.
A special thank you to Dr. Craig Shealy, her doctor, for his support and compassion he gave to Elsie and her family. Visiting Nurses and Hospice Care of Connecticut for their dedication and caring during this difficult time.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Danbury Regional Child Advocacy Center, 268 Main St., Danbury, Ct 06810.

Cemetery: Pine Hill Cemetery

Location: Munson-Lovetere Southbury

Funeral: Sacred Heart Church

Services: A mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday February 5th at 1: 30pm at Sacred Heart Church, Southbury. Burial is private.

Visitation: Friends may call in the chapel at Sacred Heart Church from 12: 00pm until the time of service.