Elise Bellenot Moore

MOORE, Elise Bellenot, passed away on November 26, 2022. She was 93 years of age. She is survived by her son, Ray Horn; daughter, Elaine Horn; and stepsons, Mike and David Moore and their families.

Our mother was born Anne Elise Bellenot in Richmond, Virginia on July 29, 1929 to Charles Clemont and Anne Woosley Bellenot. She was an only child. Her father nicknamed her "A" and her earliest friends always called her that.

Elise was a great beauty, with dark eyes and raven hair. She was a student at Thomas Jefferson High School and James Madison College, as it was known at that time. In her senior year at Madison in 1950, she was selected Queen of the May (aka "May Queen"). This distinction, while dated today, was a great honor of which she was very proud.

At Madison, she was courted by her future husband, Raymond Waugh Horn, whom she married in 1951. They welcomed their first child, Sharon Anne, in 1955; son, Raymond Clemont, in 1957; and daughter, Elaine Louise, in 1959.

The family moved to Moorestown, New Jersey in 1962. In the 1960s, our mother was a stay-at-home mom, whose outside interests included bowling and bridge. She also developed a keen interest in and astuteness for finance and investments (which would serve her well). These "Camelot" years were filled with dinner parties, dancing, summer vacations on the Jersey shore, Frank Sinatra and the New York Jets.

Financial pressures led Elise to return to the workforce in the early 70s, perhaps a precursor of tragedies to come. In August 1974, our father, Ray, died of a heart attack at home at age 53. Six months later, Elise lost her father, Charles, age 83.

Our mother rebuilt her life with the support of her children and friends, especially the colorful Sue Kilroy. In 1979, Elise made the decision to move from Moorestown back to her hometown of Richmond.

Here, she continued working full time in accounting and rediscovered her love of bridge. She became an active member of The Bridge Center and enjoyed competitive success, becoming a Silver Life Master in 2008.

Happiness found Elise again in 1980 when she met Calvin Silliman Moore, who lived in the same housing community. Elise and Calvin married on January 3, 1984. Theirs was a happy marriage, built on a solid foundation of mutual respect and love. They especially enjoyed international travel and their second home at Wicomico Church.

Tragedy struck again, however. After a brave fight against brain cancer, Calvin died at home in July, 2001 at the age of 62. Just over two years later, Elise's first born child, Sharon, passed away in October 2003 at the age of 48.

Our mother's solaces, outside of family and friends, continued to be her interest in finance and competitive bridge. She greatly appreciated her many bridge partners, especially Jane Daniels and Verla Burgess.

Special longtime friends included Shirley Smith and Doris Kuzman.

Elise enjoyed watching sports on television, especially college football, golf (Tiger) and tennis (Roger). She also enjoyed watching Jeopardy, the Wheel of Fortune and, for some inexplicable reason, the Lawrence Welk Show. Her favorite movie was "Singin' in the Rain." Elise loved to read and play other card games besides bridge, especially gin rummy.

In her last years, Elise grappled with failing mental capacity, and her family is grateful for her caregivers at the Hermitage in Richmond.

Throughout the latter part of her life, Elise expressed thankfulness for what a "lucky" and wonderful life she had led. She was laid to rest at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Richmond alongside her second husband, parents, uncle and paternal grandmother. Mom, we hold you in our hearts and always will.