KENT, Conn.—Elaine (Anderson) Carlson, 80, of Kent, left this life peacefully on Sept. 4, 2026 at Candlewood Rehabilitation and Healthcare in NEW MILFORD after a brief illness.
Elaine was born March 7, 1946, to the late John W. and Mary E. (Hipp) Anderson in the farmhouse at Centerbrook Farm in New Milford. She was raised just up the road in the house her father built.
Elaine attended New Milford schools, graduating from New Milford High School in 1964.
A caregiver by nature, she worked for many years in the New Milford school system and in healthcare, retiring from New Milford Medical Group in 2017 after 28 years. She enjoyed gardening, animals, sharing stories of old New Milford and spending time with her “girls,” a group of women with whom she had been friends for 75 years.
Elaine’s true passion, though, was her family. She is survived by her three children, Heather M. Carlson (Ryan Perlowsky), Sarah C. Parker (Ernie) and Andrew E. Carlson; her grandson Quinn R. Parker, the light of her life; her nieces, Laurie E. Ohmen and Sharon O. Krejcir; and her great-niece and -nephew, Chelsea E. Gray and Jordan A. Gray. She is also survived by her cherished partner of nearly 30 years, Andrew C. Ocif, of Kent, and her cat, Oscar.
Family and friends can gather at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 15, for a service to be held at 1:45 p.m. at the New Milford Center Cemetery.
Lillis Funeral Home has been entrusted to care for Elaine and her family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Animal Welfare Society of New Milford, 8 Dodd Road, New Milford, CT 06776, or to the Northville Volunteer Fire Department, 359 Litchfield Road, New Milford, Conn.
