Eloise Ann Turken Epstein died Oct. 21, 2020 of natural causes. She was 91.

Eloise Epstein Contributed photo

Born Jan. 4, 1929 in New York City, she was the second of two children to Dr. Samuel Turken and Diana Goldstein Turken. A graduate of Brooklyn College with a degree in early childhood education, she met her future husband, the late Dr. Gerald Epstein, at 16 years of age, and they married in 1948. When Gerald received his dental degree at age 20, they settled in Fairfield, where he opened his first office and Eloise taught elementary school. They moved to Westport 1957, where they raised their three sons, Richard Allen Epstein, Kenneth Martin Epstein, and Steven Edward Epstein.

Eloise had a dynamic and memorable spirit, whose generosity and energy is remembered by all. She reveled in giving gifts to others, close and distant, and loved to entertain. She often took people under her wing, including other’s children, families, and even caretakers. She founded a children’s drama school, and was an active member of B’nai Brith and the Westport PTA. She travelled the world with her husband Jerry until his death in 1995, and enjoyed working as a travel agent. An accomplished pianist, Eloise hosted the Performers of Southern Connecticut, and her many friends for duo piano evenings on the 2 pianos in her living room. She was devoted to and loved her extended family, who fondly remember her blue eyes, her infectious laugh, and her perpetual optimism.

She is survived by her sons Richard Allen Epstein (Ina Chadwick) and Steven Edward Epstein (Cary Brown-Epstein), Kenneth Martin Epstein (deceased 2019, survived by wife Amalia Taub- Epstein), grandchildren Nina Wilde, Rebecca Jarit, Jennifer Capalbo, Daniel and Michael Epstein, and Samuel Lee Lyons Epstein, and great-grandchildren Zachary and Shaina Goldberg, Charlie and William Capalbo, and Harrison Jarit.

In a final act of selfless giving, she donated her body to Yale Medical School, and a private memorial service was attended by close family only. A later memorial service is planned for her many friends and extended family.

Contributions may be made in her honor to https://secure.childrenshospital.org/site/TR/CommunityampTributeFundraising/ActiveEvents?px=2037744&pg=personal&fr_id=1232

Longtime Westport Resident and former owner of the Mansion Clam House Restaurant, Barbara Saltus, died Nov 10, 2020, in Marble Falls, TX after a short illness, surrounded by family and her two Yorkshire Terriers, Beau and Annie, who watched over her until the end. She is survived by her daughter, Bobbi; her sons, Duke, Brett, and Matt; as well as many grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Don, and eldest son, Jocko.

Barbara Saltus Contributed photo

Barbara Henry was born Nov 2,1937 in Fairfield. She married Don Saltus in 1956. They purchased the historic Bennett House on South Compo Road and settled in Westport CT. After her children were grown, Barbara resumed her education, graduating from Sacred Heart University with a degree in teaching and later received her Master’s degree. She took a position as a Special Needs Educator, first in Darien. then later in Wilton.

In 1987, Barbara left teaching to purchase the landmark Mansion Clam House Restaurant, along with other family members. While operating the business end of the restaurant, she took on the task of restoring the families’ 1758 Bennett House. Her restored historic home was the quintessential New England homestead, a magical place where she could entertain her children, their spouses, grandchildren, and friends.

Anyone lucky enough to attend one of her holiday parties, or Sunday brunches, appreciated her attention to detail. Barbara kept her large family and friends wonderfully amused and well fed. While outside in the backyard, the grandchildren climbed the large beechwood tree and swung on the famous family swing, enjoying their childhood.

Even with a busy schedule, she managed to find time for travel, exploring Europe and the United States with her husband Don and grandchildren. The teacher in her was always expanding their minds and sense of exploration.

In 2000, she retired from running The Mansion Clam House Restaurant and moved to the seaside village of Stonington Borough, where she opened a hat and gift shop on Water Street called Junie Moon. After the death of her husband and eldest son, Jocko, she moved to Texas to be closer to her daughter Bobbi and son Matt.

Barbara was the warmest, funniest, and most caring person you could ever meet.  She will be greatly missed.

Pamela Madeline Winthrop Powers died Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020 in Shelton, with her family by her side. She was 94.

Pamela Powers Contributed photo

Pamela is survived by four children: Timothy Powers,  CA; Brian Powers (Mary), MT; Aileen Powers Kennedy (Joe), CT; and Sheila Powers Casinelli (Daniel), CT; as well as six grandchildren; Christy Murray (Neil), MT; Victoria Casinelli, Stephen Casinelli, Michael Casinelli, Elizabeth Casinelli, CT; and Patrick Kennedy, CT. Additionally, she is survived by two great-grandchildren Rowan and Bea Murray, MT. Pamela was preceded in death by her husband Kenneth Harry Powers, her parents Harry Stephen Winthrop and Aileen Anne O’Brien Winthrop, as well as her siblings Betty Weir, Joan Griffin, Patricia Stopford, John Winthrop, Shirley Grant, Tui Batty, and Gay Swindells.

Pamela was born on Saturday, June 12, 1926, in Auckland, New Zealand to Harry and Aileen Winthrop. She graduated from Epsom Girls’ Grammar School in 1942 and went on to obtain a Secretarial Degree. Pamela traveled the world and worked as a secretary for the Goodyear Oil & Tire Company in many countries including New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Tahiti, Fiji, England, and Canada,  She met American Kenneth Harry Powers while in England and moved to Canada to date between Toronto and New York City. On December 29, 1956 Pamela and Ken married and then honeymooned in Bermuda. After moving to Queens Village, NY, Pamela and Ken started their family. Over eight years, the couple welcomed four children into their home starting with the two boys in Queens Village then on to Huntington, Long Island for the two girls. In 1975, the family moved to Westport, CT where Pamela lived for 45 years before moving to Shelton, CT with daughter Sheila and family. 

While in Westport, Pamela ran a home daycare program for many years. Pamela was an active and dedicated member of Assumption Church and often volunteered at school and church events. She participated in the Women’s Guild of Assumption Church in Westport and made many long lasting friendships. Pamela was involved in Boy Scout troops for her sons. New to the States and living in New York, Pamela became an avid New York Mets baseball fan and loved to watch or listen to their games but hated when they were on the west coast and the games were aired late at night. If Pamela didn’t have a nice hot cup of tea in her hand, she was found to have a can of Tab with a straw. Knitting was a favorite pastime and Pamela made Christmas stockings for many as well as tons of baby sweaters, especially for her grandchildren.

Pamela’s children and grandchildren will remember her as a very patient and loving mom or Nana, who encouraged them to pursue their goals and dreams. Pamela loved to travel, knit, bake, go to Compo Beach, entertain at home, and spend time with family and friends. Yearly St. Patrick’s Open Houses had Pamela making many delicious Irish soda breads and refreshing Irish coffees. Annual 69th BBQs in the backyard were always good times thanks to Pamela’s hospitality. A word search book, deck of cards, or a puzzle were never far from Pamela’s hands. Sitting by a nice fire was always Pamela’s favorite seat in the house.
 
Pamela was a generous individual who loved her family above all else. She was a loving wife, mother, sister, aunt, Nana, and friend to us all and good wishes to her are in all our hearts. Due to COVID restrictions, the funeral mass at Assumption Church in Westport, CT will be private. Harding Funeral Home in Westport is making all the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Children’s Interstitial Lung Disease (chILD) Foundation, 6539 Harrison Avenue, #1045, Cincinnati, OH 45247 or at https://child-foundation.networkforgood.com/ in the name of Pamela Powers/great granddaughter Bea Murray. The family would like to thank Sandra Frew, Esther Bentor, and the staff at Bright View in Shelton for taking such wonderful care of Pamela in her final years. Pamela will be dearly missed by all who were graced to have known her.

Patricia A. Hooper of Westport died Friday, Nov. 6, 2020, at Norwalk Hospital. She was 88.

Patricia was born in Flushing New York. she was a resident of Westport for 55 years. Patricia spent most of her youth in Gainesville Georgia, before attending University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her major was Greek. She also attended Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia.

Patricia worked as an administrator at Save the Children and was a homemaker and raised three children in Westport. She will be remembered for her love of the theatre and was active in community theatre, and her fondness for literature.

Patricia is survived by her daughter Dorothy Claire Brooks of South Lake Tahoe, CA; and her three grandchildren, Kiera Nachman Kent of Ridgefield Park, NJ, Willian (Billy) Nachman of Chicago, IL, and Victoria Nachman of New Orleans, LA; great grandchildren Liam and Ezra; daughter-in-law Martha Welsh Nachman of Westport; and by the father of her children, Herbert Nachman, Townsend, TN.

Patricia was predeceased by her mother Dorothy Powell, her father Harry J. Powell, sister Barbara Jean Castle, daughter Kay L Nachman, son David J Nachman.

Friends of Patricia may leave messages for the family at www.hardingfuneral.com. Burial arrangements will be made at a later date.