Elissa Leonora Lord, born August 29, 1934, passed away suddenly Sunday, August 30, 2015. She was the daughter of Frank and Esther Valentine. Born in Boston, she spent her childhood and most of her adult years in parts of New York City and Westchester, finally settling in Stamford thirty years ago.

Lee, as she was known to all, loved life and what it offered. She was an accomplished painter and exhibited her works with the art societies of Greenwich, Old Greenwich and Stamford, as well as private galleries, on occasion. In the '90's, she won one of the top 3 prizes in the prestigious Faber Birren color show.

In her younger days, Lee was a great tennis player, loving it for the fun and skill involved. She was an AAU swimmer in her youth, and never lost her love of the water. Lee was a competitive bowler while her children were young, and won many trophies. Any sport she was inclined to try resulted in success.

Above all, Lee loved her children and grandchildren. She loved nothing better than to create an atmosphere of laughter and fun. Everyone had a hand at putting paint brush to canvas, swimming in the pool for hours, eating delicious meals, and having quiet time later, sitting next to grandma on the couch. Christmas was the most special time for all - her house was a Christmas wonderland filled with magic and joyfulness and her tree truly inspired awe, twinkling with lights and beauty.

Lee is survived by her four children; Elissa Pierce and husband Denny of Stamford; Robin Lord of Nashua, NH; Frank Lord and his wife Lacey of Antrim, NH; Robert Lord and his wife Ann Marie of Katonah, NY, and grandchildren Emily Lord, Justin and Spenser Cook, Alexandra and Lucille Lord. She is also survived by her sister Linda Gibson and her husband John of Machias, ME.

A funeral service will be held at the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Avenue, Stamford, CT on Saturday September 5, 2015 at 11:00AM. There will be no calling hours and interment will be private.
To leave online condolences, please visit www.cognetta.com.

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