Ela Weinstein Grove
Groton — Our beautiful angel went home to be with the Lord. Ela A. (Weinstein) Grove, 88, of Round Rock, Texas, and formerly of Groton and Rohnert Park, Calif., entered eternal life May 12, 2022. She was born April 6, 1934, in San Pedro, Calif., daughter of the late Cipriano and Clemencia (de los Santos) Weinstein.
After her mother’s death, Ela and brothers, William, George and Raymond, were sent to the Philippines to live with their paternal grandmother while her father served as a Chief in the U.S. Navy. During Ela’s 11 years there, the Japanese invasion and occupation of the Philippines occurred, which caused her and her family to go deep into hiding for four years. After the war and with the help of the Red Cross, Ela and her brothers were reunited with their father and new stepmother in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Ela attended Brooklyn Technical School and perfected her passion for sewing that she learned from her grandmother. She later became a professional seamstress making bridal gowns and other beautiful creations. Ela’s other passions included cooking, bowling and sports of all kinds. She was an especially devoted Brooklyn (and later Los Angeles) Dodgers fan and knew the names and histories of every player. Ela also cared for and raised her three youngest siblings, who adored her and considered her their mom.
After the family was transferred to Groton, Ela attended Jeremy Hill Gospel Center in North Stonington where she became a born-again Christian and met her husband, Stephen E. Grove. Stephen and Ela raised their family in California and then later retired in Round Rock, Texas. Ela’s greatest joy in life has always been her family. She loved and was devoted to them with all her being and was a strong, but gentle and loving guiding light in the lives of everyone she touched.
In addition to her parents, Ela was predeceased by her brothers, William, George, Raymond, Ronald, Robert and Alfred. She is survived by husband Stephen Grove; daughter Lorralind Grove; son Kurt Grove; and son Gerald Grove of Round Rock, Texas. She is also survived by her sisters, Linda Kelley of Connecticut, Barbara Schepis (Gary) of Windsor, Calif., many beloved nieces and nephews and extended family and friends who will forever cherish her memory.
A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 20, in Elm Grove Cemetery, Mystic. The Impellitteri-Malia Funeral Home, 84 Montauk Ave., New London, has been entrusted with her care.