Elsie Weiss

Elsie Beatrice (Neal) Weiss, 102, of Waldorf, Maryland, was a kind, creative, loving, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend. Elsie passed peacefully with her family by her side Sunday, August 24, 2025. Elsie was born in Soham, County Cambridgeshire, England to the late Daniel and Beatrice Neal on December 13, 1922.

Elsie grew up on a farm in England with her parents and four siblings. She received her education at the Church of England School in Soham and High School for Girls in Ely, Cambridge. When in September 1939, all school children were evacuated from London and other large cities ahead of the German air raids, Elsie was "drafted" to teach at the then-overflowing county schools.

Elsie met her husband, 1st Lieutenant, Charles J. Weiss, Jr. of Texas and the U.S. Army Air Corps, during World War II. They married on July 10, 1943 and together, they had two children: Carol Edna (Weiss) Riches and Maj. Roderick Charles Weiss (U. S. Army).

Elsie continued teaching once she came to the US in 1946, where she opened Kiddie Academy in Maryland. She taught children between the ages of 5 and 7 for nearly 15 years. She will be remembered for her patience and uncanny ability to help children learn to read and love learning.

Elsie was an avid bird watcher and exceptional gardener who was often found tending to her plants in the greenhouse that Charles built for her at their home. She loved to use her creativity through crafting and sewing, often making sentimental gifts for her family, a practice she has passed down to her daughter, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her love for Jesus was demonstrated on many occasions in the church and community. As an active member of Bells United Methodist Church, she served as a choir member and, for 26 years, as director of the church’s annual fundraising event, The Colonial Bazaar. As a community volunteer, she was a faithful staff member of the county Re-Use-It Barn, where donated or salvaged items were refinished and sold for the benefit of charities.

Charles and Elsie enjoyed 59 years of marriage and traveled the world together as he served in the U.S. Air Force and State Department. Later, they travelled for love of adventure well into their 70s. Elsie was a beloved member of her family and she will be remembered for her unique voice and accent, soft-spoken demeanor, impeccable memory and ability to recite long Scripture verses or poetry at the drop of a hat.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lt. Col. Charles J. Weiss, Jr. (2000). She is survived by her children, Carol (Ron), of Sparta, NJ and Roderick (Lisa Yates) of Waldorf, MD; her grandchildren, Jennifer (Christopher) of Manchester, NH, David (Emily) of Melbourne, AUS, and Alice (George) of Dover, NH; her great-grandchildren Catherine, Jocelyn, Kelly, David Jr., Sebastian, Charlotte and Penelope; many nieces and nephews abroad.

Family and friends are welcome to gather at Lee Funeral Home, Clinton, Maryland on Saturday, September 27, 2025 from 10am with funeral services beginning at 11am. Elsie will be laid to rest with her beloved husband at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.