Ilse Louisa Hayes Govoni

Ilse Louisa Hayes Govoni, of Roslyn Heights, NY and Roxbury, VT, died peacefully at her home in Roslyn Height surrounded by her family, on Nov. 28, 2022. Born in 1927 in Wilson Point, Norwalk CT, Ilse worked in publishing with the American Book Company as a children’s book editor, before marrying Antonio F Govoni, MD in 1954. She immigrated to Italy then Canada, where she spent 16 years before returning to the United States, settling in Roslyn Heights, NY. Ilse was Secretary of the now-defunct Roslyn Heights Civic Association and active in conservation causes. She was an avid birder, gardener, and homemaker. A devoted daughter, wife, mother, and grandmother, Ilse cared for her blind mother for decades, and her family as well, often at her own emotional and physical expense. Ilse was a caring, gentle, loving, spiritual woman, with a huge heart. Ilse was most at home in the country, and her time spent at the farm in Roxbury VT was her most treasured. The beauty of the property’s gardens speaks of her love for the place. Ilse was predeceased by her parents, Emmy Katherine Hayes [nee Clason] and author Nelson Taylor Hayes, as well as her beloved husband, Antonio Fortunato Govoni. She is survived by her children, Antonia Hayes Govoni and Graham Hayes Govoni, her daughter-in-law Leslie Black [Govoni] her granddaughters, Talia Rose Govoni and Manya Blaisdell [Black], and great-granddaughters Ari and Raya, as well as cousins scattered throughout the globe. Dr. Marco Vezza and his staff are remembered with great affection, having cared for Ilse until her time in hospice began. His devotion to Ilse’s care over the years is incomparable. In the final months of her life, Ilse was lovingly cared for by aides from TLC Companions, as well as hospice staff at Metropolitan Jewish Hospice Care (MJHS). The family wishes to thank Janeen and Jose at TLC Companions and her aides; Nikki, Tameka, Stacy, and Ramona for the loving care they took of our mother in her last months. Tricia and Nora of MJHS were by Ilse’s side until the end, providing nursing, social service care and support to Ilse and her family. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in Ilse’s name may be made to Vermont Institute of Natural Science, PO Box 1281, 149 Nature's Way, Quechee, VT 05059 (online at vinsweb.org) or MJHS Foundation, 39 Broadway, Suite 300, New York, NY 10006 (online at https://www.mjhsfoundation.org/). Roslyn Heights Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. No funeral or viewing is planned. Visiting hours will be at Ilse’s home in Roslyn Heights. She will be interred in the family plot at Riverside Cemetery, Norwalk, CT.

Ilse Louisa Hayes Govoni

November 28, 2022