Miss Elna Elizabeth Daniels of Storrs, CT died on Sunday, November 21, 2010 at the Mansfield Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation. Miss Daniels was born in Wallingford, CT on July 24, 1918, the daughter of the late Gustav and Katherine (Fitzgerald) Daniels. She was predeceased by two younger sisters, Carolyn Daniels and Mary Daniels Jones. Elna leaves three nephews: Owen Reid Jones and his wife Joann of St. Mary's, West Virginia; Keith L. Jones and his wife Rebecca of Snellville, Georgia; and Brian L. Jones and his wife Susan of Rockville, Maryland. Elna also leaves three-great nieces and two-great nephews in Georgia, Maryland and West Virginia; and several cousins in Connecticut. Following her father's relocation from Connecticut to North Carolina, Elna was raised and schooled in the south. She graduated from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro, where she subsequently also received a Master's Degree in Foods and Nutrition. She began her career as a high school teacher in South Carolina, followed by teaching positions at the University of North Carolina and the University of Alabama. In 1951 she returned to Connecticut and joined the faculty at the University of Connecticut. She retired from UConn as Professor Emeritus in the school of Nutritional Sciences where she taught foods and nutrition, specializing in institutional food preparation and management of food services. While at UConn, Elna established a scholarship fund which bears her name, as well as an interest free student loan fund, both of which funds continue to this day. Elna was a very active and involved member of the UConn family, the St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel on the UConn campus, and her community. She was also a member of and active in the following organizations: The American Dietetic Association, The Connecticut Dietetic Association, a lifetime member of The Association of Family & Consumer Sciences, The Mansfield Historical Society, The Center for Learning in Retirement at UConn; and Soroptomist International. Throughout her life, Elna was dedicated to learning; and to sharing her knowledge with others. She traveled extensively throughout the world visiting every major continent and many of the countries therein. Elna particularly enjoyed getting together with family and friends. Many of those who were aware of her penchant for fanciful hats, lovingly and affectionately bestowed upon her the sobriquet "The Hat Lady," a distinctive tribute that she wore as proudly as her hats. A Memorial Mass in honor and celebration of Miss Daniels' life will be held at St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel, on the UConn campus at North Eagleville Road, Storrs, CT on Friday, December 17, 2010 beginning at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in Elna's memory may be made to The Elna E. Daniels Scholarship Fund, The University of Connecticut, 2390 Alumni Drive, Unit 3206, Storrs, CT 06269-3206; or to St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel 46 North Eagleville Rd. Storrs, CT 06268. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. For online memorial guestbook please visit
www.potterfuneralhome.com
.