Obituary of Elva Karolina Girard

Elva Karolina Girard passed away peacefully, surrounded by her devoted family, on November 3, 2022 in New Canaan, Connecticut.  She was a resident of our hometown for 73 years.

Elva was born in Jamshog, Sweden to Emil and Tekla Svensson on January 21, 1923.  She was one of fifteen children.  She moved to the United States in 1939, where three of her sisters had settled in Stamford, CT.  Elva married her husband, Raymond Girard, in 1942, and they later moved to New Canaan in 1949.

Elva was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother.  She was adored and respected by all who knew her and was dedicated to her family and community.  She was a member of the New Canaan Woman’s Club and a volunteer for various local charities, including New Canaan CARES (formerly TAACT), the Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW, and Center School.  Elva had a warm and welcoming nature and was known for her uplifting and generous spirit.  She loved summers on Cape Cod, gardening, cooking and hosting her family and friends.

She loved living in New Canaan, where she raised her children and was often surrounded by their friends, too.  She made everyone feel welcomed in her home.  She cherished her Swedish traditions, taught them to the family, and they are carried on to this day by all. These traditions include Swedish cooking and baking, and special festivities for the holidays.  Elva’s home was always filled with celebration, whether it be birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, holidays, or just the day to day gathering of friends and loved ones.

Elva is survived by her three daughters, Ingrid Girard Deane of Rowayton, Pam Girard Martin and her husband Steve of Jupiter, FL and Peggy Girard of North Palm Beach, FL; six grandchildren, Carrie Corcoran and her husband John of New Canaan; Peter Deane and his wife Julia of New Canaan; Meghan Martinez and her husband Ariel of West Hartford; John Beuttenmuller and his wife Kelly of Gainesville, FL; Ellen Chance and her husband Ryan of Port St. Lucie, FL; Matthew Beuttenmuller of Jacksonville, FL; twelve great-grandchildren, Brooke, Mackenzie and Griffin Deane of New Canaan; Peter and Christopher Corcoran of New Canaan; Emelia, Alexander and William Martinez of West Hartford; Carden and Antonia Beuttenmuller of Gainesville, FL; Harper and Easton Chance of Port St. Lucie, FL; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Raymond Girard, who passed in 2011, as well as her fourteen siblings.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Elva Girard to Waveny Life Care Center, 3 Farm Road, New Canaan, CT 06840 (www.waveny.org).  The family extends their deep gratitude to the staff at Waveny Life Care Center for the many years of excellent care given to Elva and for their support of the family.

The family will receive friends at the Hoyt Funeral Home, 199 Main Street, New Canaan on December 28, 2022 between the hours of 4 and 7pm.  Hoyt Funeral Home will be handling all of the arrangements.  Interment will be private.