Obituary of Mary Dolores Maxwell Elsner

Mary Dolores Maxwell Elsner Mrs. Elsner, 100, of Charlotte, NC, died peacefully in the loving arms of her children, Denise Elsner Ford and Charles Elsner, at home on Friday, April 12, 2013. Mary's life began in Liverpool, England on September 24, 2012, as the first born child of the late Margaret Seagraves Maxwell and Arthur Maxwell. Along with her parents, her siblings, Ellen, Margaret, and Arthur have all predeceased their eldest sister. Known to the family as "Mamie", she and her family crossed the Atlantic on the SS Lapland and docked in New York City on December 19, 1919, to begin their new lives in America. Educated in New York City, upon graduation in 1929, she worked in the communications department of a Manhattan department store. She soon met Charles "Chick" Elsner at their shared subway stop. Chick always called her "May" and they married on January 1, 1933, in New York City, NY. They were inseparable lovers and partners until death took him in 1988, after 55 years of marriage. Mary was the consummate homemaker, a fabulous cook, and a most creative woman who brought stylish beauty to whatever she touched. Her husband's career with US Rubber Company, then Uniroyal, transplanted him from New York City after the birth of her first born, Dolores, in 1934, to the Bronx where their second child Barbara was born in 1937. The family moved to Union, New Jersey in 1939. Shortly after WWII began, the family transferred to Baltimore, Maryland, where son Charles was born in 1950 and then Denise followed in 1954. They transferred to the cold, snowy shores of the Narragansett Bay in Warwick, Rhode Island in 1959, and finally to the sweltering heat of Charlotte, North Carolina in 1965. Mary worked part time at Hickory Farms in Park Road Shopping Center. She created beautiful, loving homes full of laughter despite the differing climes and cultures. As a compelling manifestation of her devout Catholic faith, Mary believed in the moral value of service to others. She worked tirelessly at St. Ann Catholic Church and St. Ann Catholic School as a member of the Altar Guild, in every facet of fundraising, event planning and execution, and as a long-time member of the Women's Club. She served as the right hand and dear confidant of Mother William Ignatius, the principal of St. Ann Catholic School. Her drive to serve others also led her to run the Mercy Hospital Gift Shop for many years and to many long hours serving the needy at Crisis Assistance Ministry. Even when the body tired, her spirit was willing and she regularly contributed generously to food and clothing drives, to the needy in Appalachia, the Kidney Foundation, Am Vets, St. Jude's Children's Hospital and many other charities. Her home was always open to our friends whose parents were unwilling or unable to parent them. Tim, Michael, Bill, Salli, Kim, and Ginny all were parented, housed, fed, sheltered, and nurtured in Mary's home. It was not until reaching adulthood her children realized that this was not the way of the world but was the act of an extraordinary woman. May was a devoted wife who danced with our father; like Ginger with Fred. Together, they travelled the world and always kept life full and interesting. It is a comfort in our loss and grief to believe in their reunification "TOGETHER FOREVER". Mrs. Elsner is survived by her children, Dolores Manley and husband, Harry, of Odenton, Maryland; Barbara Polski and husband, Paul, of McLean, Virginia; her beloved son and cherished caregiver Charles Maxwell Elsner of Charlotte, NC, and her youngest daughter, confidant and caregiver Denise Ford (Henry) of Charlotte, NC. Her youngest grandchild Diana Ford was also a devoted caregiver in her final years and brought Mary endless delight with her very tender care and loving attention. Mary also had ten grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. A visitation will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, April 20, 2013, in the chapel of Hankins and Whittington Funeral Service, 1111 East Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28203. A memorial service, officiated by Father Conrad Hoover, will follow at 2:00 PM. Interment will follow in Forest Lawn West Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region, 1420 E. 7th St., Charlotte, NC 28204 or St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 6000 Fairview Road, Charlotte, NC 28210. A special note of gratitude is extended to Princess, Vida, and Mary of Comfort Keepers who helped make Mary's wish come true: that she would peacefully die at home surrounded by those who loved her. The family wishes to thank Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region for their comfort and loving compassion in our most painful hours of need. Mary was an outspoken, principled, loving woman with a fearless sense of humor. She is irreplaceable. The world is a better place for her contributions to it.