Yvonne Cantin Chowenhill of Hartford, the gracious and genteel widow of the Rev,Nelson L. Chowenhill, former rector of the city’s Grace Episcopal Church, died Sunday May 6th. She had reached her 109th birthday on March 28th quietly celebrating her remarkable life which began in Paris France in 1903 and crossed into America where she met and married her husband, then serving parishes in Colorado and Wyoming, including American Indian Missions and, as dean of St. Marks’ Pro Cathedral in Casper. From 1944 to 1954 they were called to New York City, he as rector of the Church of the Holy Rood, she, as mother of their three children. Ten years later they returned to
Connecticut as rector of the small Anglo Catholic parish in Hartford, on New Park Avenue. Together the Chowenhills helped Grace Episcopal Church observe its 100th anniversary in 1963. He retired in 1970 and died four years later. Mrs. Chowenhill remained an active, beloved, faithful member of the parish family until her death. Yvonne Chowenhill is remembered for her beautiful language of Paris, her style and taste; the many vestments bearing her skills and enrichment’s; her devotion to the “Place of Grace” pantry, her love of flowers, her compassion, her overwhelming grace, her
fondness of fine French wines and, appropriately, the requiem of Gabriel Faure. She loved her visits with family members, who would walk her out to the grounds to view the flowers and birds and share stories of past and present. She was predeceased by a son Nelson L. Chowenhill Jr. of Jacksonville, Fla and leaves two daughters, Mrs. Charles W. Ripley of Wethersfield and Mrs. Peter Rich of Orange Park, Fla. And many grandchildren as well as great grandchildren. The family wishes to recognize Yvonne’s’ extended family of caretakers at Avery Heights who treated her with great care and devotion for over ten years. Friends and relatives may call on the family Thursday, May 10, from 11am – 12pm, at the Farley-Sullivan Funeral Home, 34 Beaver Rd., Wethersfield. A Funeral Mass will be
celebrated at 1pm in Grace Episcopal Church, 55 New Park Ave., Hartford. Interment will be in the family plot in Cedar Hill Cemetery (Section 27), 453 Fairfield Ave., Hartford. The family asks in lieu of flowers, and that memorial donations are made in Yvonne’s
name to Grace Episcopal Church, 55 New Park Ave., Hartford, CT 06106. To extend online condolences or for further information, please visit farleysullivan.com.
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