Canton Obituary: Elizabeth Mehan, 65

Elizabeth Mehan, 65, of East Granby, passed away on January 3, 2017 while at Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale New Haven surrounded by her loving family.

Daughter of the late William Richard Garthwaite and Marie Anna Schaub, Elizabeth was born in Hartford on May 2, 1951 and grew up in her family home on Palisado Avenue in Windsor. As the second of five children growing up in the Garthwaite family, Elizabeth and her siblings were happiest outdoors raising animals and playing in the fields on the farm. They remained close over the years, and her sisters looked forward to yearly pilgrimages to St. Thomas in the Caribbean where Elizabeth enjoyed the waves and the sand. She often remarked on how happy she felt on the beach looking out at the ocean.

Elizabeth graduated from Windsor High School in 1970, and after briefly attending Manchester Community College, she married and became a mother of three. She loved being a Mom and was encouraging of each of her children to find themselves and gain lasting success through the pursuit of genuine happiness. Elizabeth cultivated three unique and independent people who will forever respect and admire her for her gentle guidance and unconditional love.

Elizabeth was proud to become a grandma and cherished the moments she shared with her grandchildren. Although raised in Windsor, Elizabeth spent over 20 happy years residing in West Suffield and most recently enjoyed living in East Granby.

After years of being at home with her children, she re-entered the workforce and found great success and friendship working with Kohl's Department Store in Canton. One significant moment in her life happened during a chance encounter on a dance floor at Black Eyed Sally's in Hartford where she met her longtime friend and companion, Sam Nelms. The two hit it off and shared 13 memorable years together until his passing in 2011.

Elizabeth's spirit will never be forgotten and her candle continues to burn brightly through the selfless gift of organ donation.

She leaves her three children, Adam Mehan and his wife Christina of Broad Brook, Rebecca Mehan and her husband Kevin Schlottmann of Queens, NY, Kate St. Amand and her husband Zachary of Barkhamsted; a brother, Robert Garthwaite and his wife Nancy of Windsor; three sisters, Diane Hansen and her husband Robert of Tolland, Christine Garthwaite of Windsor, Patricia Towle and her husband David of Clinton Corners, NY; many nieces and nephews as well as her two special pets, Lola and Anna. Elizabeth was the proud grandmother of Timothy and Tierney Mehan; Rosalie and Thaddeus Schlottmann; and Nolan, Hunter, and Declan St. Amand. She also leaves her longtime friend and the father of her children, Thomas Mehan of Windsor Locks. In addition to her parents, Elizabeth was predeceased by her companion Sam and an infant brother, William Richard Garthwaite, Jr.

Elizabeth's family wishes to thank the caring and professional physicians, nurses, and staff of Smilow Cancer Hospital for their many kindnesses as well as her Kohl's Family for their tremendous support throughout this journey.

Her family will receive friends on Friday, January 6, 2017 from 12-2 p.m. at Carmon Funeral Home, 807 Bloomfield Ave., Windsor to be followed by a memorial service at 2 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, Poquonock.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Elizabeth can be made to the Closer to Free Fund, which jointly supports Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven and Yale Cancer Center. Please make checks payable to Closer to Free Fund and mail to PO Box 1849, New Haven, CT 06508. Online donations can be made at https://www.givetoynhh.org/closertofree.