Elaine Kennelly Oviatt Byron, also known affectionately as Dixie, passed away at the age of 89 on Sunday, November 29, 2009 in St. Vincent's Medical Center. Elaine had suffered from a lifelong struggle with asthma, and although she was not expected to survive through childhood, proved the experts wrong by surviving close to the age of 90, before succumbing to the disease. Having been born and raised in Bridgeport, Elaine was the daughter of the late Alfred E. and Norine Kennelly Oviatt. Siblings include George T. Oviatt of Bridgeport, and the late Alfred E. Oviatt, Jr. In 1940, Elaine received a degree in Dental Hygiene from Pennsylvania University. She continued on practicing as a dental hygienist until her retirement years. On January 17, 1945, Elaine married LeRoy F. Byron after an engagement of three years while Lee was away in the military service. Upon marrying, the couple moved to Lake Placid, NY, to finish Lee's time in the Army. The couple remained happily married until LeRoy's death in November 1986. Having lived in Bridgeport, Fairfield, Monroe, and retired to LeBelle, FL in 1983. Survivors include a daughter, Linda-Lee Williams of Kennesaw, GA, and a son Roy G. Byron and wife Brigitta of Shelton, grandchildren include, Linda's children, Chris Gantek and wife Robin, Eric Gantek and wife Kelly, Courtney and Lindsay Williams, and E. Daniel Williams, all of Georgia; Roy's children, Jason and Christina Byron of Shelton, and Carrie Byron Scalo and her husband Vincent of Oxford; great grandchildren, Grayson, Cameron, Kyle, Kiersten, and Amanda Gantek, all of Atlanta, GA, and Erich and Marc Scalo of Oxford. Elaine was delighted by a hospital visit from all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren several days before her death. Funeral services will be held Thursday at 9:30am, meeting directly in Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 545 Stratfield Road, Fairfield, with a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow in Mountain Grove Cemetery, Bridgeport. Friends may call Wednesday from 4:00pm to 7:00pm, in the Redgate – Hennessy Funeral Home, Main Street and Gorham Place, Trumbull. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in Elaine's memory to either the American Lung Association, 45 Ash Street, East Hartford, CT 06108 or Bishop Wicke Health Care Center, 584 Long Hill Avenue, Shelton, CT 06484, where she resided for the past five years. To send online condolences please visit www.redgatehennessy.com