[The obituary for Bobbe Elmore has now been published; you may read it on the Register Citizen's Obituary section. Update added: 9:00 a.m., Thursday, June 3]

We received the following invitation to celebrate Bobbe (Barbara)  Elmore’s life from her son John.  Bobbe and her husband Russ lived in the house next to the Post Office on Main Street in New Hartford for 44 years, between 1962-2006.  Bobbe died on Monday night, May 24 at the age of 82.  Russ, aged  89, will be at the gathering, as will their daughters Susan and Nancy.

Dear family and friends,

You are warmly invited to join us in a grateful celebration of the life of Bobbe Elmore and of our ongoing love for her, this Saturday, June 5, at the United Congregational Church, (our childhood church!) high on the hill above Torrington, Ct. at 1622 Torringford Street. The doors will be open at 1:30 for a 2:00 p.m. gathering.

Not a funeral or religious service, we plan a joyous gathering together, a memorial of Bobbe: a wife, mother, daughter, grandmother, sister, cousin, aunt, great-aunt, and friend. You will be invited to share your memories, stories, and thoughts, if you’d like. Poems, prayers, blessings, songs, deep-hearted listening, and good wishes for the future will also be welcome!

Please sit down front. Be casual. Be friendly. Enjoy all, and each other! Afterwards, we will continue the celebration over light refreshments in the social hall.

Please email: susangelmore@gmail.com right away (if possible) and let us know who is coming. Children are welcome.

We look forward to sharing this special and tender time with you.

Russ and Bobbe Elmore in the sunporch of their home in New Hartford in April, 2006. Photo courtesy of John Elmore