Imelda Louise (Bushnell) Slayton

Our cherished Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother, Imelda Louise (Bushnell) Slayton, 89 of East Hampton passed peacefully from this life to eternal life in Jesus Christ on February 28, 2018 at Middlesex Hospital in Middletown, surrounded by her loving children, after a long and courageous battle with cardiovascular disease and dementia.

“Meldy” was born on June 21st, 1928 to John and Regina (Izbicki) Bushnell, in Providence Rhode Island, where her family had moved for her father’s job.  The family of eight children made their permanent home in Norwich, CT where Meldy spent what she invariably described as a wonderful childhood and family life with her seven brothers and sisters, mother, father, grandparents, uncles and aunts as well as multiple cousins and friends.  Meldy lived through both the Great Depression and World War II and these experiences along with her family life molded her truly into one of our Greatest Generation.

Soon after WWII ended, she met our father, Erland Hayes Slayton Sr. a young WWII combat veteran, through mutual friends in their hometown of Norwich.  They married in February 1947 and began their family with the birth of their first child, daughter Ann, soon followed by daughter Jeanie.  They made their home in Colchester, CT before moving eventually to Marlborough, CT to raise their young family.  In 1962 the family moved to East Hampton, CT where a third child, Erland Jr. was born.  After the unexpected and devastating loss of her husband Erland Sr. in 1969, Meldy was the strength and inspiration for her entire family as she worked hard all by herself to move forward and make all the right decisions to help her young family grow and prosper.  By all accounts she did a wonderful job.

Meldy remained in her home in East Hampton for the rest of her life, closely surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, all of whom she loved dearly.   While working days to keep the family in good stead, she also adored working in and around her yard, doting over a huge and productive vegetable garden and numerous fruit trees, as well as caring for chickens, ducks, cats and dogs and a beautiful inground pool that she had installed for the family’s enjoyment.  In 1975 Meldy met her longtime close companion, Marvin Steil, who would accompany her throughout the rest of her life.

Although challenged by several serious health crises in her later years, Meldy always seemed to find the strength to ‘bounce back’ and come back to her beloved home and family.  In her later years, as she began her struggle with dementia, she was able to stay in her home because of the constant, daily love and care provided by her children who live nearby. We are all grateful to God for every minute of her presence with us.   Meldy lived a complete life based on constant and absolute love for her family and her family loves her just as absolutely.  Both we and our beloved mother can rest in the assurance that no loving word was ever left unsaid, no loving opportunity was missed and nothing was left undone.

Meldy leaves behind her three children who will love her forever and unconditionally: Ann (Raymond) Nichols of East Hampton, Jeanie (Ed Edwardsen) Mosley of East Hampton, and Erland (Kimberley Parks) Slayton Jr. of East Hampton, along with her three grandchildren Raymond (Emily) Nichols of East Hampton, Kristie Nichols of East Hampton, and Jonathan (Emily) Mosley of Middletown, her five great grandchildren, her close companion Marvin Steil, her sister Constance (Arthur) Kraemer of Cheshire, CT and sister-in-law Maralee (Arthur) Thomson of Norwich, CT as well as an extended family of countless nieces and nephews.   She was predeceased by her Mother and Father, John and Regina Bushnell, sister Dorothy (Robert) Munn, brother Raymond Bushnell, sister Barbara (Richard) Harrison, brother Thomas Bushnell, brother John (Henrietta) Bushnell and brother Chester (Dorothy) Bushnell. 

We all love her dearly and will miss her profoundly. 

Interment will be private and at the discretion of the family. To leave online condolences please visit www.spencerfuneralhomeinc.com.

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