Gisele Elkin, 94

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Gisele Elkin of Providence passed away Jan. 9. 

She was the wife of the late Alfred Elkin; they were married for 53 years. Born in Stratford, Québec, Canada, the daughter of the late Joseph and Delia (Boisvert) Champoux, she came to East Providence in 1957. She also lived in Pawtucket and Newport before moving to Providence.

Gisele worked for the Canadian War Production Board in Montreal as an inspector during World War II. After moving to Rhode Island, she worked as a bookkeeper for various companies in Providence, Barrington and Pawtucket. She then became co-owner, with her husband, of Vinyl Packaging and Plastic Development of Pawtucket for more than 30 years. She was a Girl Scout leader in Riverside, in addition to volunteering in the local schools.

Her favorite hobby was cooking gourmet meals for her family. There was no meal too complicated for her to undertake. She continued exploring new culinary challenges until she was 90.

Earlier this year, Gisele attended her grandson’s graduation from Brown University.

Gisele leaves a daughter, Dorothy Elkin; son-in-law, John Halpin; and grandson, Benjamin Halpin of Stoneham, Mass. She is survived by her sister, Simone Champoux; her sister-in-law Marie-Berthe; nieces Luce and Lyne; and nephew Bernard. She is predeceased by her sisters Gilberte Mole, Madeleine and Jeannine, and her brother Gaston.