Established in 2026 through a bequest from Elizabeth Vancisin, this unrestricted Fund addresses the existing and future needs of the Town of Branford, Connecticut and its citizens.

Elizabeth Ann Butler Vancisin, daughter of Lee and Trula Butler, passed away on November 19, 2025, just eight days shy of her 101st birthday. She was born on Thanksgiving Day on November 27, 1924.

Elizabeth graduated from Iowa State University in 1946 where she was homecoming queen and a member of Gamma Phi Sorority. She remained a loyal ISU fan her entire life. After graduation she moved to Minneapolis where she worked in Dayton’s Department store in the Bridal registry department. She met her husband, Joseph Richard Vancisin, an Assistant Coach for basketball and baseball at the University of Minnesota, and married in 1951. They had two children, Richard and Susan, and moved to Connecticut to raise their family, where Joe became the Head Basketball Coach at Yale.

Elizabeth was involved in The Woman’s Club, a service club, and eventually became the President of the Connecticut State Federation of Women’s Clubs. She was active in her church as the Treasurer and as the Flower Chairman. She helped run and organize the Red Cross Blood Drive in town as well as serve as the Troop Leader for her daughter’s Girl Scout troop. She was an invaluable partner to her husband in running the National Association of Basketball Coaches after he became Executive Director.

Elizabeth was a positive person who always had a smile for everyone. She had an adventurous spirit with a bucket list for life that culminated in skydiving when she was 89! She traveled to many places around the world including Europe, Africa, Argentina and one of her favorite places Kauai, Hawaii. She loved to read and always wanted to learn new things. She loved to meet new people and learn their stories.

Elizabeth’s greatest joy in her life was her family. She always wanted to hear about what they were doing and rejoiced in all their achievements. Having everyone together was one of the most important and happiest times of her life.

Elizabeth moved to Branford in late 1955 and Branford was her and Joe’s primary residence for 62 years!  She loved Branford and all of her friends there in town.  Even after moving to Florida in 2017, with its warmer climate, they went back to stay for several months annually until they were unable to travel distances anymore.  This Fund is a reflection of her love for Branford, her gratitude for the wonderful life that she and her family had there, and her desire to continue to help provide continued resources for Branford’s benefit and long term well being.