Erf, Mary Elva Congleton

Mary Elva Congleton Erf, 89, a longtime member of the Congregational Church in South Glastonbury, CT, died on July 31, 2021 following a life full of grandchildren,

faith, and weaving.

The youngest of three children, Mary Elva was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on January 25, 1932, to Harriet and Ernest Congleton. She had fond memories of spending time in Kentucky with dozens of relatives. She attended Denison University and Michigan State University, where she graduated with a degree in teaching.

Mary Elva and her husband Robert settled in Glastonbury, CT. A talented weaving teacher, she was an active member and president of the Handweavers'

Guild. She was commissioned by the Metropolitan Museum of Art to reproduce textiles for a Shaker retiring room that opened as a permanent exhibit in 1981. She wrote numerous articles and two books: Tiny Textiles and Weaving Shaker Rugs. She volunteered at The Hartford Artisans Weaving Center teaching individuals with visual impairments. Her woven rugs and blankets are treasured by her children and sons- and daughters-in-law, Keith and Louisa, Karen and Chuck, Kate and Joel, and Frank and Joy, along with ten grandchildren and the many infants for whom she wove baby blankets.

Mary Elva loved walking along the Connecticut river, painting, reading mysteries, playing cards with her children and grandchildren, picking strawberries, gardening, swimming, visiting her grandchildren at summer camp, speaking her mind and getting things done.

Mary Elva was predeceased by her husband, her parents, her sister, Ernestine, her brother Edward, and a grandson Robert Kyle Erf.

Her family extends deep gratitude to the Handweavers' Guild and Congregational Church in South Glastonbury— communities that she considered family. Her life will be celebrated at South Church on Friday, October 1 at 1:30. In lieu of flowers, the family suggest that donations be made to The The Handweaver's Guild of CT (handweaversguildofct.org).