Elissa Joan

Elissa Joan, 50 was walking to the post office in Ash Fork, Arizona on a sunny Saturday afternoon, July 2, 2016 when she was hit by a truck and fatally injured.

She was born Elissa Dale Chapman in St. Louis, Missouri to Chuck and Joan Chapman, who she joins in eternal life.Elissa is survived by her sister Jennifer Chapman in California; her step-mother Nancy Chapman in Maryland; her father's sister Eilene Newberg in New York; her step-sister Eden Schofield, Eden's husband Michael, and their children Emily, Ben and Luke, in Maryland; her cousins Susan and David Newberg in New York, their children Bill, Andrew, and Haley in Maryland and New York; her friend and former husband, David Stringer in Michigan; her friend and longtime collaborator, Jerry Adams in Texas; and many more friends and colleagues around the country. 

 After growing up in Bethesda, Maryland, Elissa was on a life journey that took her to Colorado, Michigan, Georgia, Florida, and ultimately to Juniper Woods in northern Arizona where she established Lavender Sky Ranch in 2005.  Originally inspired to be a veterinarian, caretaking, healing and compassion for animals would continue to be woven into Elissa's life.  Her practical- technical -entreprenureal side brought her into the professional world of information technology, websites and databases.

She earned degrees in information systems and evaluation at Western Michigan University, and entered the information technology field as one of few women when it was just beginning. As well as a brilliant technologist, Elissa was deeply reflective, a creative writer, and a spiritual seeker. She blended her interests in wholistic health with her technical skills as she moved out of a corporate setting, and established her own business in Florida, while taking care of our aging grandmother.  Elissa was also called to service by rescuing abandoned animals, volunteering for hospice, working for goodwill organizations, and participating in several meditation groups. She loved the independence of living off-the-grid on her ranch, gathering firewood, fencing 40 acres, harvesting rainwater, maintaining the road, gardening and composting.  Her vision was to create a future retreat center.    Elissa was loved by many. 

A small private memorial service was held at Elissa's ranch in October. In lieu of flowers, please share your memories on this website. Supporting the adoption of rescue animals would also be a great way to honor Elissa.