Elissa Olson, an endless spring of compassion, strength, and love, passed away unexpectedly on March 7, 2024, in Pomona, CA. She passed peacefully and painlessly after a lung infection developed into septic shock and ultimately heart failure. 

Born in Ohio, Elissa moved with her parents and three siblings to Southern California in the mid-1950s. After a childhood spent between Torrance and San Jose, she completed a Bachelor's in Dietetics at Cal State Long Beach. Elissa went on to start her career with an internship in Indianapolis and by her mid-20s had risen to the role of chief dietitian at a local hospital in Southern California, a testament to her exceptional talent and caring heart. 

Her natural leadership and boundless energy led her to eventually complete an MBA and build her own businesses. Over the course of her remarkable 50-year career, Elissa would go on to work with countless nursing homes, assisted care facilities, hospitals, and dietetics associations across California. She was an inexhaustible source of go-to expertise and mentorship, becoming a true pillar in her field with far-reaching influence. And though in recent years she would eventually claim to be retired, Elissa's dedication to her profession never waned, always keeping one foot in work, even as she faced increasing health complications.

Elissa’s personal life was as rich as her professional one. In 1995, a chance meeting with her future husband, Rick, would blossom into an inseparable partnership for life, culminating in Rick and Elissa’s marriage in 2009 while on Safari in Tanzania. Together, they nurtured a shared passion for boating, contributing significantly to the Southern California Fleet of the Classic Yacht Association, where they alternated as commodore for four years, bringing in the annual change of watch.

Elissa was a person of profound thoughtfulness and generosity -- an unwavering source of love, support, and comfort for her family and vast circle of friends. With an enormous heart and open mind, she was adored and respected by many. And in her relentless humor, she would often joke that she suffered from "terminal optimism."

Elissa's legacy is carried on by her husband Rick, sister Judy, sons Matthew and Jacob, stepson Brett, her three cats Carlos, Jack, and Sarah, and a host of beloved friends. Elissa Olson's remarkable journey, her relentless spirit, and her nurturing heart have left an indelible mark on this world. We celebrate her life, cherish her memories, and carry her love forward.

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