Diana Mcgeorge Elias

Diana McGeorge Elias, “Grandma Mac” left this earthly life 27 September 2017, surrounded by family and in great peace.  She was predeceased by husbands Kurt P. Shaver, John A. McGeorge, and John Elias, and brother David H. Chute.

Diana was born September 12 1937 in Durham, NC to Jessie Pearl Hill and Dr. Charlton Foster Chute and lived in Webster Groves, MO and Bala-Cynwyd, PA in her childhood.  She resided in Connecticut from the early 1960’s until her death, with homes in the towns of New Canaan, Stamford, Norwalk, New Milford, and Wilton.

She is survived by her children, Major USA Ret. Stephen C. McGeorge (Barbara) of Hampton, VA, Heather A. McGeorge of Norwalk, William B. McGeorge (Fadia) of Trumbull CT, David A. J. McGeorge of East Providence, RI, James C. McGeorge of Stroudsburg, PA, stepdaughter Laurie (Ken) Parker of Waterbury and stepson Jack Elias of Sturbridge, MA  and sister-in-law,  Leonor Chute of Norwalk.

Her 5 grandchildren are Master Sergeant Herbert B. McGeorge of Hope Mills, NC,   Megan Diana McGeorge, and Colin J. McGeorge of Portland OR, and John and Laila McGeorge of Trumbull, CT.

Diana had a wonderful sense of humor and always loved entertaining friends and family.  She was a fantastic cook. Christmas was her favorite holiday, and she usually had two trees, a main and an exclusively antique one, covered in vintage decorations. She was an avid and noted doll and antique collector, and spent time at antique shows, flea markets, estate, and tag sales.  Mom loved nature, butterflies, birds, and flowers, in particular.  She liked both day trips and national and world travel, reading the New York Times, and creating things by sewing, painting, and drawing, in her younger years.  She was a strong Christian and enjoyed singing in church choir in the West Norwalk United Church of Christ.  When visiting Virginia she attended and was much loved by members of Wythe Presbyterian Church, especially her companion Ms. Aye Ber Pau, a recently arrived refugee from Myanmar.  Until her final days she would take on all comers in a game of Scrabble--which she invariably won!

As her children moved into adulthood she re-entered the workforce as a teacher’s aide in Norwalk Schools, working for many years at Fox Run and Naramake Elementary schools. Her gifts of patience, empathy, and a loving nature were put to good use as most of the time she worked in behavioral and learning-impaired classrooms.

She accepted the challenges of age and infirmity with remarkable grace, never complaining and ever thinking of others first.

Of her many gifts her greatest was as a giver of unconditional love.  She passed on her curiosity, endless thirst for knowledge, and wonder at all the good things in this world to her children and grandchildren.   Among her progeny are soldiers, teachers, nurses, caregivers, and musicians, all professions which require decency, kindness, intelligence, empathy, curiosity and strength   - gifts in great measure from “Grandma Mac”.

Friends may greet the family on Saturday October 7, 2017 from 10:00 to 11:00 AM at United Congregational Church, 275 Richards Ave. Norwalk. A memorial service will begin at 11:00 am. Interment will be at a later date. Norwalk’s Hoyt-Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 5 East Wall Street has been entrusted with arrangements. Please visit www.norwalkfh.com for more information.