Elaine Antonia Fanoni Woolworth, age 84, a longtime New Canaan resident died Tuesday evening October 6, 2015 at Stamford Hospital with her loving son and close friend by her side. Born in New York City, June 21, 1931 she was the daughter of the late Vincenzo and Mae Shields Fanoni. Elaine, known as “Toni” to most, grew up near Washington Square in Greenwich Village. Her father, whom she idolized, was a first-generation immigrant from the small mountain village of Settefrati, Italy, who rose to Chief of Surgery at St. Vincent’s Hospital, where he counted among his patients many leading opera singers of the era, including the renowned tenor Beniamino Gigli, Toni’s godfather. Toni attended the Brearley School and was a self-proclaimed “tomboy” in her youth, excelling in sports and eventually becoming a nationally competitive golfer, winning the Eastern Women’s Amateur at Wingfoot and reaching the quarterfinals of the National Amateur at her home course of Weeburn Country Club, where she was club champion for several years running (eventually declining to participate, with characteristic grace, so that others could have their day in the sun). Following a year at Connecticut College, Toni was married, moved to New Canaan and for several years enjoyed traveling widely and living the high life. In her late 20s she became a mother, the role she cherished above all others. Throughout the 1960s 70s and 80s, Toni could usually be found roaming the halls and sidelines at the New Canaan Country School, where she ran or assisted in countless volunteer initiatives, eventually serving on the school’s Board of Trustees, as well as on the board of the school’s Horizons program for low income students. As her boys grew into adulthood and moved away, Toni started a successful business, Tessera, with her dear friend Sharon Forrelli. She continued to volunteer in many capacities, including manning the phones for a crisis hotline, providing care to individuals with a variety of afflictions and challenges through the Stephen Ministries, and anchoring for many years the “Wednesday Night Dinner Crew” at The Manna House of Hospitality, a program of the Norwalk Emergency Shelter. In her later years Toni took immeasurable pleasure in her new role as “Gram” to her nine grandchildren, each of whom she loved dearly and championed in the same fashion she had her sons a generation earlier. She delighted in tracking and broadcasting their many accomplishments, from “first steps” through points or goals scored, grades earned, or college acceptances. She also enjoyed her close network of close longtime friends, as well as those more recently encountered, both locally and beyond. A self-described “newshound” throughout her life, Toni read the New York Times from cover to cover each day, and was always ready to debate whatever issue dominated the day’s headlines. In particular, Toni focused her energy on growing closer to her God. She believed, in her own words, that “unconditional love – the love God has for us, his children – is very difficult to understand and accept. Therefore, many deny and reject.” Toni accepted God’s love and, in turn showered her own unconditional affection on not only those closest to her, but to the disadvantaged and downtrodden throughout God’s kingdom. Her love was nowhere more generously bestowed than upon her sons. The term “devoted mother” does not begin to describe the depth of love and intensity of focus Toni brought to the role of mothering. Throughout their lives, she was her boys’ staunchest supporter, most exacting critic, fiercest advocate, closest confidant, most loyal friend and, above all, the True North of each of their moral compasses. Elaine is survived by her four sons, Norman J. Woolworth and his wife Lori of Charlottesville, VA, Eric Woolworth and his wife Jocelyn of Miami, FL, Timothy Woolworth and his wife Christine of Falmouth, ME and Stephen Woolworth and his wife Sherri of Tacoma, WA, one sister Teresa Hurd of Walnut Grove, CA and nine grandchildren, Nathalie, Norman, Rachel, Jackson, Cassidy, Owen, Chase, Isaiah and Jordan. Elaine was predeceased by her children’s father, Norman S. Woolworth. She leaves behind a long list of friends and admirers. A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday October 12, 2015 at 2:00PM at St Matthews Church, 216 Scribner Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06854 Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in her name to Doctors Without Borders, 333 7th Avenue, New York, NY 10001-5004, http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/, 212-679-6800. For online condolences and directions visit www.hoytfuneralhome.com