Elsa Clare Nagy

DOB: Nov 3, 1940; DOD: Dec 4, 2025

Elsa was born and raised in Southern Michigan. She graduated from the University of Michigan, where she met her husband of over 62 years, Emil Joseph Nagy. After three weeks, they were engaged. After three months, they were married. 

Elsa was a lovely, sweet-tempered, talented, and self-sacrificing person who gave her entire self for the good of her family and community. Emil loved, supported, and relied on her throughout their marriage. He was at her bedside, holding vigil at the end of her life.  She leaves behind a grieving family of four children: Dirck Nagy (Lindsay); Peter Nagy (Lara); Kirsten Dunn (Greg); and Tamar Sims (Eric); and 15 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.  None were ready to have a life without her; all miss her love and support. 

Elsa kept a steady relationship with her family in Michigan: a sister, Sara Maxam, along with a niece and nephew and their children.

Elsa was happy and content with the life she lived and the family she and Emil raised, though at the end she wished she had more time to live it.  She was cultured and loved diversity, passing those qualities on to others in the family. Not only did she marry a Hungarian freedom fighter, Elsa also shared her love of different cultures and peoples with her family.  She was a German and English teacher for many years at Clear Creek Secondary School in Idaho Springs, Colorado. She spoke fluent German and took her children with her to Germany and Hungary while she studied there.  Elsa welcomed others into her life, including extended family from the Czech Republic, Venezuela, Russia, and Uzbekistan. She also developed life-long relationships with exchange students and family relationships in foreign countries that continued throughout her life. 

Elsa was a violinist and played for many varied groups from Clear Creek Secondary School (Idaho Springs, Colorado) drama productions, local theater and church companies, the Evergreen Chorale (Evergreen, Colorado), Denver Chamber Orchestra, and San Juan Symphony (Colorado), to name but a few. Her love of music was shared with her family; among her children and grandchildren are a guitar professor, violinist, luthier, and others who play and enjoy music at all levels.

Elsa had a great love for the outdoors: from hiking in the mountains of Colorado to keeping an amazing garden in every place she lived.  This was another joy she passed to her family, and her children and grandchildren share in the passion. 

Locally, Elsa was involved in the Mohawk Valley Women’s Club as its treasurer and participated in philanthropic and political activities.  She took yoga, ran her household, and was self-sufficient until her passing.  

Elsa was the embodiment of strength of character, kindness and putting love into action. She fought to live for the sake of her husband and family. She is and will be sorely missed.  

Elsa (and Emil) did not want a memorial service, but, if any desired to honor her name with a gift, they would most appreciate a gift to a local music charity, such as the Caroga Arts Collective or to the Mohawk Valley Women’s Club.