Email from Ingrid Wood (Erik's Mom)

Hi everyone,

I went to Salt Lake City yesterday for one day to attend Elyse's funeral service in the Church, the service at the graveside and returned to the Church again for the celebration of her life which included a wonderful Greek meal.

When we arrived in Salt Lake City it was beautiful warm day with a great view of the still covered snow mountains. I never knew that Salt Lake City was such a beautiful city. Scott Rice, his wife and Mike Lucey rented a car and I went with them. Salt Lake City is so spread out and hardly any traffic. Since we arrived so early we had breakfast downtown.

Then we drove to the "Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church". Erik and Beth arrived at the same time who had flown in from Los Angeles. We met Barbara in the entrance hall and were introduced to so many people. The Church was full.

The service was one hour long. The first part was all singing by three men and it was followed by a sermon done by Father Michael K. who spoke so eloquently about Elyse, her life and referring to many bible passages. He never said that Elyse had died but rather said at different times that she was sleeping. He also said that she lived one year longer then our Savior Jesus Christ. Elyse lived for 34 years. Even though this was a short time to live but years don't count to leave a mark on others, it counts what you you do with the years. Elyse did leave a mark during her 34 years on earth.

Copied from (the back) the brochure given to us in Church:

The angels brought
Elyse into the world.
We got to love her
and be loved by her for 34 years.

Now the angels have come
to take her to a better place,
but our love for her
will be forever.


We drove to the Mount Olivet Cemetery for the graveside service. Since Memorial Day was just a few days before the cemetery was covered with flowers. We did not see flags just flowers and flowers. The grave site was in a beautiful location, a big birch tree which had a graceful weeping form was right next to it. We were given pink balloons and another shorter service was done by Father Michael K.

Ross, Barbara and Elyse's family were sitting on chairs and did well. We were standing all around them. The time came for us to release the helium filled pink balloons. It was a beautiful sight when they went up. One balloon got caught in the branches of the birch tree above the grave and Ross freed it and the balloon went up to Heaven. Members of the family and friends were given single red roses to put them on Elyse's coffin. Barbara gave me a white tulip to take home. I have it pressed between pages of my book. We all were invited for a celebration of Elyse's life and were asked to meet the families again back at the Church.

We returned to the Church and gathered in the big Church Hall. A sit down meal was waiting for us. The round tables were so nicely set with linen and roses in vases on every table. The family and guests celebrated the life of Elyse in a beautiful way. The mother and the grandmother of Elyse said to me that the way we Greek people do it. The buffet style Greek lunch was delicious, wine, beer and even brandy was offered with the dessert.

It was a joy to see how much love Elyse had created in her short life. Ross and Barbara were surrounded with everyone who touched her life. It made it easier for them to say Good Bye and that Elyse's memory will live on forever.

Peacefully,
Ingrid