NAPLES — Elsie Irene Tenney passed peacefully on the morning of Oct. 26, 2010 at Norway Rehabilitation and Living Center with her daughter by her side.

The daughter of Joseph and Helga Pulkkinen, Elsie was born in Harrison on Sept. 17, 1927. She was the youngest of six children. Elsie attended grammar school in Bolsters Mills and graduated from Bridgton Academy with honors in 1946. She later matriculated from Gorham State Teachers’ College in 1950 and received her master’s degree in Education from the University of Maine in Orono in 1968.

Elsie married Adelbert Tenney on Dec. 16, 1950, and together they had one daughter, Faye. The family lived happily in Naples until Del’s untimely death in 1962. A resident of Naples for over 50 years, Elsie deeply loved the area, having seen many changes in the town’s complexion over the years.

Elsie taught elementary school for 33 years in the towns of North Turner, Raymond, and later in Naples and Casco, retiring from SAD 61 in 1987. Teaching was Elsie’s passion.  She would often recount tales of her students, as well as those of her fellow teachers from Casco Memorial School with whom she felt a strong bond.

A member of Eudorah Rebekah Lodge in Bridgton, Elsie was their Noble Grand in 1967. She later belonged to Woodland Rebekah Lodge in Harrison. In addition, Elsie was a member of the Maine Retired Teachers Association and the Finnish American Society in South Paris.

Elsie enjoyed doing crossword puzzles, reading, baking, traveling, and visiting with friends and family. Her granddaughter Erin was the delight of her life as she enjoyed spending time with her and her friends.

Elsie is survived by her daughter, Faye Levasseur of Naples; her granddaughter; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is predeceased by her siblings Mary Miner, Donald Pulkkinen, Lahya Pulkkinen, Lelia Carlton, and Matti Pulkkinen,
Visiting hours will be held 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday at Hall Funeral Home, Casco, where a funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday.
Online condolences may be left for the family at hallfuneralhomeinc.com

In lieu of flowers, contributions maybe made to Beacon Hospice, 54 Atlantic Place, South Portland, ME 04106.