Obituary: Elseline “Elsie” Johanna Kleiner, 68, of Branford

Information via W.S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home

Elseline “Elsie” Johanna Kleiner, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on Wednesday, October 4, 2017 due to complications from back surgery in New Haven. She was 68 years old.

Elsie was co-owner of the 113-year-old Myers Flower shop and had been active in community and local business affairs. She was a fierce hockey mom and “mother” to many. Elsie loved boating in the Thimble Islands, listening to the Eagles and traveling the world.

Born in the Netherlands, on August 22, 1949, Elsie, along with her family, moved to Hamden, CT when she was four years old. She graduated from Hamden High School (1967) and attended Paier College of Art. She met her husband of 35 years, the late Charles I. Kleiner, in her teen years. Together, Elsie, “Chuck” and Lee-Ellen Magna owned Myers Flower Shop, now located on the Branford Green.

Elsie is survived by her children, daughter Stacey Foti and son-in-law Christopher Foti, of Wilmington, MA and son David Kleiner and daughter-in-law Carrie Kleiner of New York City, NY; grandchildren Cooper Foti and Amelia Foti and Ian Kleiner, June Kleiner and Bea Kleiner; sister Marijke Hartman of Hamden, CT; sister-in-law Lee-Ellen Magna and brother-in-law Rich Magna of Guilford, CT; Nieces Stephanie Magna Black of Dallas, TX, and Amy and her husband Brice Soucy of Boston, MA.

Calling hours will be held on Sunday, October 8 from 1:00 - 4:00 pm at W.S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home in Branford, CT, followed by a celebration of her life at Stony Creek Brewery from 4:30 to 8:00 pm.

Memorial donations may be made to the Arthritis Foundation. To send flowers or a remembrance gift to the family of Elseline Kleiner, please visit our Tribute Store.