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Elsie Leona McLain Orff of Branford passed away on March 19 at her beloved home with her family by her side.

Born in Bremen, Maine, to Ralph McLain and Myrtle (Hunt) McLain on Aug. 23, 1930, she was the fifth of six children. Elsie spent her first eighteen years in Maine attending school, helping her parents on their coastal farm, and working at the local fish-processing factories. In 1950, she married her high school sweetheart Arvine Orff. They soon moved to Branford, where they started their family, welcoming daughters Linda in 1952 and Rosemary in 1954.

Elsie has given her family and friends a lifetime of love and cherished memories. As a devoted mother, she was always there with a fresh meal on the table, clean ironed dresses ready for school mornings, and new haircuts and home perms for her girls each spring. As a proud grandmother, she relished the adventures, big or small, of each grandchild and great-grandchild.

She was creative and multi-talented. As Arvine’s partner for more than 66 years, she helped design and build the house they shared since 1960. Along with her husband, she cleared and planted their property with beautiful flowering shrubs, and vegetable and flower gardens. She canned fresh vegetables and pickles every fall from her garden, sewed clothes and curtains, crocheted beautiful bedspreads and tablecloths, upholstered furniture for their house, spackled and painted walls, and tiled floors. She even helped Arvine repair their cars. She was a steady, lifelong member of the First Congregational Church of Branford since 1952.

Elsie loved to watch the many different birds that visited her backyard feeders, particularly the woodpeckers and hummingbirds. She especially enjoyed traveling to new and exciting places. After their retirement, she and Arvine traveled to Holland, Denmark, France, Sweden, Germany, Canada, Hawaii, and various other destinations across the United States.

Elsie leaves her husband Arvine; sister Celia Ramsdell of Maine; and daughters Linda (John) Baccki of Arlington, Vermont, and Rosemary (Richard) Bourne III of Branford. Her four grandchildren Dawn (Fred) Hoyt of Arlington, Vermont, Keith (Deborah) Baccki of Needham, Massachusetts, Richard Bourne IV of Branford, and Danielle Bourne of Groton; and three great-grandchildren Clay Hoyt, Veronica Baccki, and Chase Hoyt will all miss her warm hugs, loving smile, and wonderful cooking. She was very proud of her entire family and all their accomplishments.

Her family wishes to thank friends and family for their tremendous support and understanding during this very difficult time. We also thank her great friend Rowena Gatta for her steadfast affection and loyalty, and the many doctors and nurses who helped her through these last few months. We especially wish to acknowledge the care and professionalism of the staff from Connecticut Hospice and are so grateful to her home care nurse Teresa for her unwavering kindness and expertise. She has truly been an angel for us all.

A celebration of Elsie’s life and legacy will take place in an outdoor location later in the summer and be announced in this publication. Memorial contributions in Elsie’s name may be sent to Connecticut Hospice at 100 Double Beach Rd., Branford, CT 06405.