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Elaine

(Sneirson)

Savin

Obituary

Elaine Sneirson Savin, 90, died peacefully at home after a short battle with cancer. Elaine was the eldest of two daughters born in Binghamton NY to Dr. Hyman Sneirson, a renowed surgeon and WWII veteran of Patton’s army, and Barbara Gordon Sneirson. Elaine graduated from the Emma Willard School and Cornell University where she met the love of her life, Marvin S. “Pete” Savin. They were married for 45 years until he died in 1998. Elaine was elegant, vivacious, kind, and wildly stylish, including in her favorite outfit of blue jeans and moccasins. Everyone who met her was smitten with her. She was a principal at The Hartford Knights ACFL football team and at Petelain Racing Stables of Ocala, Florida. She was a force in Hartford civic and cultural affairs, having served as president or on the board of directors of, among other institutions, the Bellevue Square Boys’ Club, the Greater Hartford Jewish Federation, The Hartford Ballet, Hartford Arts Council, Hartford College for Women, Neighborhood Centers, and Watkinson House. She was committed to social justice, voting rights, animal welfare, and women’s rights and was an early advocate for prison reform. In 1986, she and Pete received the Anti-Defamation League’s Torch of Liberty Award. Pete and Elaine lived in West Hartford for the first few years of their marriage and then built their dream house in Bloomfield, where she raised their children and had what she called “the most wonderful time” with them; with her beloved friends she called her “dear pals”; and with her children’s friends, who helped themselves to her outstanding fried chicken which was somehow available at all times in her oven. Elaine was a force in her 13 grandchildren’s lives. Some of them called her Lala and some of them called her Ha (when they couldn’t pronounce the “L”). She froze on the sidelines of their games and danced at their weddings. She drove herself to Florida to see them, or flew to California. They each had a personal, powerful connection to her, and they cherished and admired her. She said they were “the best,” and they called her The GOAT. Her phone infuriated her when she couldn’t find their photos, or photos of her seven great-grandchildren, in the text messages. Elaine loved her Sneirson relatives. She loved her girlfriends. She loved football because of the players’ courage and athleticism. She loved horse racing, ballet, ancient Chinese poetry, great literature, her dogs (especially Venger-Dear-Beast, Sunny, and Hash) and the White Mountains of New Hampshire. She climbed Mount Washington dozens of times. Last June, on her 90th birthday, she climbed only to the crystal waterfall, but a whole squad of grandchildren reached the summit for her, so, as she said, “All was well.” At Cornell, Elaine studied Government and literature, and remembered lectures from her favorite professor, Vladimir Nabokov. She was a dancer there, and a choreographer. She was the “big sister” of her sorority sister, Ruth, then still Bader. Their connection lasted all their lives, as was apparent a few years ago, when Justice Ginsburg, upon seeing Elaine at a Supreme Court dinner for a mutual friend, made a beeline to give Elaine a great hug before whisking her away to chambers for a private visit. Elaine was special company. When Elaine was 80 years old and standing in line for a Flamenco performance in Sevilla, a group of young people approached her. “We just want to say that everything about you is stunning,” they said. This happened to Elaine often: complete strangers noticing her movie-star beauty, ballet dancer’s posture, and her zest and smile, and stopping her on the street. She was delighted when they praised her outdated but evidently snazzy sunglasses. “Everyone loves my glasses!” she beamed. Everyone actually loved everything about her. Her style was just the outer manifestation of her beauty. She’s may have lived a glamorous and exciting life, but in her heart, she was always the small town doctor’s daughter from Binghamton. Elaine leaves five children: Stacey Savin and husband Hon. Robert C. Chatigny of Simsbury, Connecticut; Nina Savin Scott and husband William Scott of Kennebunkport, Maine; Sugar Savin McCauley and husband Bill McCauley of Del Ray Beach, Florida; Terri Savin Docal of Miami, Florida; and John Peter Savin, of West Palm Beach, Florida; and she leaves her cousin, Lynne Snierson, of Salem, New Hampshire Her 13 grandchildren are: Nathan Savin Scott, Anastasia Tess Davidson, Haley Susan Scott, Peter Robert Chatigny, John Victor Chatigny, Morgan Savin McCauley, Tierney McCauley Wilkins, Antonio Tomas Docal, John Carlos Docal, Jasmin Alejandra Docal, Matthew Walker Savin, Charlotte Louise Savin, and Lilly Carter Savin. She leaves seven great-grandchildren: William Savin Davidson, John Murdoch Davidson, Redding Shae Scott, Callum Savin Scott, Caspian McCauley Wilkins, Tallulah Elaine Wilkins, and Griffin Joseph McCauley. A private funeral service is being held for the family. Please feel encouraged to sign the guest book for Elaine below.

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Elaine (Sneirson) Savin

(Sneirson)

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From: Dottie Markowski Drechsler

From Southington, CT

Posted On: January 30, 2023

Dear Stacey, Nina, Sugar, Terri and John,
I read your mother’s beautifully written in the Hartford Courant yesterday. I want to extend my condolences to you and your families. Nearly 60 years ago after graduation I started teaching in Bloomfield at the J. P. Vincent School Your mom made me feel so welcome although I wasn’t teaching any of her children at the time. Later I had the pleasure of teaching Terri . She often stopped by to complement me on a lesson or project I was doing with the children. It meant so much to me and helped me develop confidence which was so helpful in the early years at the start of my career. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to know her and your family.

From: Judith Gosnell Kempe

From Canton, CT

Posted On: January 30, 2023

Dear Nina, Stacey, Sugar, Terry and John,
I send my condolences to you all.
I was lucky to see her not that long ago with Enid and Diane.
Still elegant as always.
Many fond memories at the ballet.
Love to you All
Judy

From: The Lowengard Family

From New York, NY

Posted On: January 30, 2023

To the Savin Crew:

From the family of "the other Elaine" to yours, we send our condolences. The torch passes.

Mary, Sarah, Henry, Benjamin, Alexander and Jeremiah Lowengard

From: Mindy Rosow

From Indian Harbour Beach, FL

Posted On: January 29, 2023

To all of you, especially Stacey & Nina,
I was so saddened to hear of your mom’s passing. Fond memories of countless times at your home are what come to mind. Your mom had a unique quality to make people feel special.
May her memory be for a blessing.
Sending love,
Mindy

From: Andrea Aron’s Huseman

From New Orleans, LA

Posted On: January 29, 2023

Stacey, Nina, Sugar,Terri and John:
My thoughts are with each one of you.
Your mother was beautiful inside and out.
Many of my fond memories of my childhood were spent at the Savin household when I came over for play dates or birthday parties of Terri’s.
You Mother always made one feel special ! Her smile was sincere and loving.
With heartfelt regards,
Andrea

From: Amy Selwyn

From Portsmouth, NH

Posted On: January 29, 2023

So much sadness today. Elaine was a force of nature at her finest - beautiful, brilliant, full of life, and an original in every way. There are no words to describe her, really. In my mind, I will ALWAYS see her as she drove (fast) from Hartford to Binghamton, dropping me at Cornell, savoring a brownie I had made and swearing me never to tell my mother that mine were actually "more diviner".

I loved her my whole life.all the Selwyns did. And if there truly is a heaven (I imagine it looks a little like the Grill Room), my father Dutch was just behind Pete in the greeting committee line.

May her memory always be a blessing. Much love to all Savins, large and small.

From: Tarik Ergin

From West Hartford, CT

Posted On: January 29, 2023

While it has been many years since I last saw Elaine, our Families connections are deep rooted. My deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to Sugar, Terry and all the Savin family in your bereavement. God bless and keep Elaine

From: Mara Whitman

From West Hartford, CT

Posted On: January 29, 2023

I am a librarian at Bloomfield Public Library. Your Mom loved to read and would come in often. She always asked how my four kids were doing. She was a pleasure and I always enjoyed seeing her. Will miss her. Sorry for your loss.

From: Jeffrey Ross

From Miami, FL

Posted On: January 29, 2023

My mother Rose passed in June. I remember seeing her standing next to Elaine at a Tumblebrook event when I was around 16 and thinking…They look like movie stars. I can see it like it was yesterday. May their memory be a blessing.

From: Leslie Neikrie

From ,

Posted On: January 29, 2023

So sorry for your loss.

From: Cindy Chazan

From West Orange, NJ

Posted On: January 29, 2023

Dear Nina and Stacy and families:
My sincere condolences at this time of loss. Your mother was a real force, which you clearly inherited, as I suspect your entire family did as well.
I wish you and your families warm memories of your mother, who could be stopped by nothing, until the end.
Sending love, Cindy Chazan

From: Michael Uthoff

From St. Louis, MO

Posted On: January 29, 2023

Dear Nina,Sugar,Stacey and John;
From the moment I arrived in Hartford your mother and family were a guiding light to what Hartford Ballet became. But more than her assistance was her caring and true friendship opening her doors so everyone could become one family. Her presence will not be forgotten and shoukd always be remembered as an unselfish leader of what is great about Hartford. Please accept my family’s and my condolences. Rest in peace Elaine

From: Enid Lynn

From Windsor, CT

Posted On: January 29, 2023

Dear Nina, Stacey, Sugar, Terry and John,
I am travelling in South America but word of such sad news reached me from so many ex Hartford Ballet folks. Your mother was such a force, unique in every way imaginable. I feel so lucky that I had a chance to see her before we left in November and she was her wonderful, up-beat self. Such a sense of humor but always of concern for the world around her. She was such an influence in my life. How lucky for you to have had her as your mother.
Love to you all.
Enid

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