The Office of the Bishop has issued the following pastoral announcement:
Nov. 10, 2023
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
We are saddened to inform you of the death of the Rev. Elsa Phyllis Walberg in Bloomfield, Conn., on Nov. 2, 2023.
Elsa was the first woman to be ordained a deacon in the Diocese of Massachusetts, in 1972, and became a member of the Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross in Byfield in 1974. She served as an assistant at Trinity Parish in Melrose from 1962 until 1973. Ordained to the priesthood in 1977, she served as associate rector of St. Andrew’s Church in Wellesley from 1977 until 1983, then as rector of St. Paul’s Church in Bedford from 1983 until 1991. Elsa also served the diocese as a member of the Task Force on the Environment from 1981 until 1983, then again from 1988 until 1991.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, Nov. 13, at 11 a.m. at the Bishops’ Chapel at Seabury Retirement Community, 200 Seabury Drive, Bloomfield, Conn.
May the soul of God’s faithful servant departed rest in peace and may light perpetual shine upon her.
Faithfully yours,
The Rt. Rev. Alan M. Gates
The Rt. Rev. Carol J. Gallagher
Condolences may be sent to her family at:
Ms. Daphne Wilcox
200 Seabury Drive
Bloomfield, Connecticut 06002
Memorial donations may be made to:
The Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross
46 Elm Street
Byfield, Massachusetts 01922-2812