Elyette B. Conein
September 4, 1929 ~ February 11, 2018
Elyette Jean-Marie Ninette Brochot Conein, ageless, departed this life on Sunday, February 11, 2018, after a brief illness. She spent her final weeks, as she wished, in her own home, surrounded by her family and loved ones.
Elyette was born to Marie B. Bordet and Joseph J. Brochot on September 4, 1929 in the City of Vinh in central Vietnam. There, she was a witness to many horrors of the Japanese occupation of Vietnam during World War II, as well as the French Indochina Wars and the the American War in Vietnam. Despite this, Elyette always maintained a positive attitude for life.
Her smile, laugh, and energy were contagious. She loved people no matter who they were, and would make you feel at ease and special. Through her boundless compassion, she quietly saved many lives -- from drowning, slavery, suicide, abuse, and destitution.
In line with her everlasting, energetic spirit, Elyette focused on becoming an Olympic diver in her youth. Unable to represent Vietnam due to financial restraints on part of the delegation, Elyette and her best friend decided to perform across Europe. The manager of a famed seaside hotel in Monaco begged her and her friend to stay and entertain the poolside guests with their beautiful and classic dives.
During the mid 1950s in Vietnam, Elyette met her future husband, Lucien E. Conein (b.1919 - d.1998), a member of the infamous inaugural group of the OSS, and one of the last legendary Cold War spies. They settled in Mclean, Virginia, where Elyette started a successful career in real estate with Long and Foster. From the 1970s to the 1990s, Elyette hosted many notorious and notable parties; a charismatic socialite and noted matchmaker, she entertained Congressmen, ambassadors, authors, generals, and even the head of the CIA. She loved to play Motown and rock and roll music, anything that would incite her guests to dance, celebrate and enjoy life.
Elyette’s house was more than the center of fabled parties. She was a generous soul who boasted a “revolving-door” policy, opening her arms and home to anyone who needed comfort. She loved her pets, and alongside the neighborhood children, she housed dogs, cats, parrots, turtles, snakes, and hamsters. Many of her pets were characters that became local lore.
Elyette leaves behind an extended family, including her only brother, Didier Brochot, and his wife and children. She also leaves her children: Laurent P. Conein; Philippe J. Conein and his wife Philise Conein, and her grandson Quinn Conein of Richmond, Virginia; her daughter, Caroline (Conein) Wilson and husband David Wilson, and her granddaughters, Shayna and Natalie Wilson of Vienna, Virginia.
She also leaves behind her partner of nearly 15 years, Patrick Smaldore, of Mclean, Virginia, who graciously ensured her life was full and joyous up until the very end. She loved all of Lou’s children, including Bernard Conein; Cecil Mashburn and his sons; Serge Conein and his extended family; and Charles “Chip” Conein and his children.
With her passing she leaves many memories of her extraordinary grace, elegance and style. She fabulously and famously dressed every day as if she was going to meet the Queen of England. She memorably claimed “smile and the world will smile back.”
The heavens have received another star to brightly dazzle the sky. She will be terribly missed by all whose lives she touched.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in the memory of Elyette B. Conein to The National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, 339 S Seton Ave, Emmitsburg, Maryland 21727.
Family will receive friends and family at a visitation on Saturday, February 24 2018, between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., at Money & King Funeral Home located at 171 Maple Ave W, Vienna, Virginia 22180. Funeral Services will be held later at Fort Myer Old Post Chapel and Arlington National Cemetery.
Elyette was born to Marie B. Bordet and Joseph J. Brochot on September 4, 1929 in the City of Vinh in central Vietnam. There, she was a witness to many horrors of the Japanese occupation of Vietnam during World War II, as well as the French Indochina Wars and the the American War in Vietnam. Despite this, Elyette always maintained a positive attitude for life.
Her smile, laugh, and energy were contagious. She loved people no matter who they were, and would make you feel at ease and special. Through her boundless compassion, she quietly saved many lives -- from drowning, slavery, suicide, abuse, and destitution.
In line with her everlasting, energetic spirit, Elyette focused on becoming an Olympic diver in her youth. Unable to represent Vietnam due to financial restraints on part of the delegation, Elyette and her best friend decided to perform across Europe. The manager of a famed seaside hotel in Monaco begged her and her friend to stay and entertain the poolside guests with their beautiful and classic dives.
During the mid 1950s in Vietnam, Elyette met her future husband, Lucien E. Conein (b.1919 - d.1998), a member of the infamous inaugural group of the OSS, and one of the last legendary Cold War spies. They settled in Mclean, Virginia, where Elyette started a successful career in real estate with Long and Foster. From the 1970s to the 1990s, Elyette hosted many notorious and notable parties; a charismatic socialite and noted matchmaker, she entertained Congressmen, ambassadors, authors, generals, and even the head of the CIA. She loved to play Motown and rock and roll music, anything that would incite her guests to dance, celebrate and enjoy life.
Elyette’s house was more than the center of fabled parties. She was a generous soul who boasted a “revolving-door” policy, opening her arms and home to anyone who needed comfort. She loved her pets, and alongside the neighborhood children, she housed dogs, cats, parrots, turtles, snakes, and hamsters. Many of her pets were characters that became local lore.
Elyette leaves behind an extended family, including her only brother, Didier Brochot, and his wife and children. She also leaves her children: Laurent P. Conein; Philippe J. Conein and his wife Philise Conein, and her grandson Quinn Conein of Richmond, Virginia; her daughter, Caroline (Conein) Wilson and husband David Wilson, and her granddaughters, Shayna and Natalie Wilson of Vienna, Virginia.
She also leaves behind her partner of nearly 15 years, Patrick Smaldore, of Mclean, Virginia, who graciously ensured her life was full and joyous up until the very end. She loved all of Lou’s children, including Bernard Conein; Cecil Mashburn and his sons; Serge Conein and his extended family; and Charles “Chip” Conein and his children.
With her passing she leaves many memories of her extraordinary grace, elegance and style. She fabulously and famously dressed every day as if she was going to meet the Queen of England. She memorably claimed “smile and the world will smile back.”
The heavens have received another star to brightly dazzle the sky. She will be terribly missed by all whose lives she touched.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in the memory of Elyette B. Conein to The National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, 339 S Seton Ave, Emmitsburg, Maryland 21727.
Family will receive friends and family at a visitation on Saturday, February 24 2018, between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., at Money & King Funeral Home located at 171 Maple Ave W, Vienna, Virginia 22180. Funeral Services will be held later at Fort Myer Old Post Chapel and Arlington National Cemetery.
My husband and I had the honor of meeting beautiful Elyette years ago through her son, Laurent. Elyette was beautiful inside and out. Her love for her family, their spouses, grandchildren and Patrick were evident at all times.
She was a true success at everything that life throw her was. When she walked into a room her smile and elegance would lit up the room
Our sincere sympathy to her children, grandchildren and Patrick. She was loved and will be missed by many. May she rest in peace.
Maryellen Whalen & Paul Ross
Having served with Patrick in the Navy Reserves, I feel blessed to have met the charming and beautiful Elyette. Whether sharing moments as fellow patriots, pet lovers, Nationals baseball fans, or comaraderie at a holiday gathering, Elyette was always a genuinely kind and gracious woman of sophisticated and soft spoken elegance. Her wonderful smile and welcoming demeanor was not only a delight to experience, but was completely disarming, putting one immediately at ease. My sincere condolences to her family, friends, and loved ones. She will forever be in the minds of those whose lives she touched.
Dear Laurent, Phil, Caroline, Patrick, and all of Elyette’s extended, beautiful family:
Please accept our heartfelt sympathy on the occasion of Elyette’s passing. It is a hard, hard thing to lose a beloved. You surely know, however, that her light and love remain, Elyette’s ongoing gift to each of you. What a blessing to have her in your lives! With love, Becky Shroyer, Arsen, Emily, and Ben Mrakovcic
Our heartfelt sympathy are for her family and friends. Beth and Guy Pittman, Payson, AZ
Condolences and fond memories of Elyette Conein
To all family members and wonderful loving Patrick Smaldore:
My husband, Michael Williams, and my name is Kay Abell, a wonderful friend of Elyette.
Just a note that I met Elyette in 1998 after returning from living overseas for ten years. Elyette became great friends as soon as we met .. working the phones in late afternoon early evening – and remained close friends for years. Later after meeting Caroline Wilson, we three remained great friends. Then I remember the day when Elyette met Patrick .. and wow!!! did that relationship develop into a most wonderful love affair one could ever imagine … for almost 15 years. We all loved Elyette and her family.
My love to all. We all will miss her.
Please let us know when the Funeral Services will take place at Fort Myer.
Warmly,
Kay Abell & Michael Williams
May God bless Elyette Conein. May she ascend to be seated next to Jesus for eternity. May she watch over everyone who came to know her. Many more blessings to our family for having shared our lives with her. Thank you Elyette for your smiles and your thoughtfulness! We shall always miss the bright star in our lives! Love, David, Margaret and Justin!
I met Elyette and Luigi (Lou) in Saigon in 1963 – an eventful year in many ways. She was one of the most charming and beautiful women I ever met and greatly admired and loved by all. I remember vividly dancing with her at a ball there, feeling very much like Fred Astaire at that moment until she paused and put me in my place by saying in French, ” Ogden, vous etes juste trop trop anglo saxon!”. I will miss her like everyone else. Ogden Miller