In loving memory of Elissa Horan

 

Yesterday a beautiful angel gained her wings and we lost a loving mother, wife, sister, grandmother and friend.  Elissa was an inspiration to us all.  She bravely fought and won her battle with breast cancer in 2009 and in 2014 the cancer returned and she battled it fiercely for almost an entire year. 

Elissa was a very adventurous and unique woman, a talented artist, once a popular bartender at Phil Trani’s, and also worked on sound for television production.  She most recently worked as a service coordinator for a printing press manufacturer.  Most importantly she always had time for her art and her family and friends.  She knew how to do just about anything and wasn’t afraid to try any new adventure or to get her hands dirty.  She loved working in her garden.  She was never too busy or tired or sick to say no to helping any friend or family member who was in need.  She raised her two older daughters Vanessa and Carolyn on her own and in 1999 had the great fortune to cross paths with a handsome friend, Matt Horan, from way back in her days at Los Alamitos High School at their 20 year reunion.  Elissa and Matt, who also has an older son Dillon, married shortly after that and to their great surprise found out that they were going to become parents again in their 40’s.

Hailey is Elissa and Matt's only child together and she is a sweet little 7 year old girl.  She is a talented artist just like her mother and she has been a great support to her father Matt who has been battling Parkinson’s Disease for many years now.   Both Hailey and Elissa were active members of F.B.I., Friends with Brain Injuries, an organization that supports brain injured individuals and provides resources and education to their families.  Elissa also loved giving hours of her time volunteering at Hailey’s school.  She has been a room mom and also active in the Meet the Master’s art program.  She was also a regular volunteer for Hailey's girl scout troop and took on the challenging job of being cookie mom. 

The Horan family now faces the difficult challenge of continuing on without the love and support of Elissa.  Your donation, no matter how large or how small will help to cover memorial expenses.  It would be such a blessing to be able to continue Elissa’s hopes and wishes for her daughter Hailey and to help support Matt who is on disability due to his chronic illness.  Hailey is a second grader at Hopkinson Elementary where both of her parents and sisters also attended elementary school.  She is active in girl scouts, piano lessons, and many after school enrichment activities. 

 

If you are able to contribute in any amount it would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you very much for your generosity.