ETERNAL MEMORY: Resa Ellison

Resa was the Youth Director at St George when my family moved to Houston back in 2005.

May her memory be eternal!

Fr James Coles writes: My friend, Resa, fell asleep in the Lord today. Thank you to all who answered my call to pray. Would you please continue to pray? I am asking that He who trampled down death and made the devil powerless would give rest to the departed handmaid of God, Resa. With the spirits of the righteous made perfect, give rest to the soul of Thy servant, O Savior; and preserve it in the life of blessedness which is with thee, O thou who lovest mankind.

Here is the message posted from her mother:

Loved Ones, As many of you already know, our beautiful daughter, Resa, has passed from this life to her joyful repose this day. Our hearts are heavy with sorrow and rejoicing at the same time. As you have so many times during the last eight weeks, we ask you to join us as we pray for forgiveness of her sins and rest eternal. We will post at a later time the funeral arrangements. Pray for us as we prepare to take Resa to church once again. With much love, Kh Linda.

Here is her story:

Wed. Nov. 4, Resa Ellison, choir director at St. Mary’s Orthodox Cathedral in Minneapolis, sang at Vespers but was beginning to feel sick. On Thurs she went to the doctor and was diagnosed with probable H1N1. He sent her home to rest. On Fri she felt pretty good but by Sat she was running a fever and on Sun Nov 8 she was admitted to Unity Hospital with H1N1 and pneumonia. Mon as her breathing became difficult, the decision was made to move her to the ICU. Her condition continued to worsen and by Tues evening she had to be sedated and put on a ventilator to breath for her.

The Ellison family has incurred some extraordinary costs associated with Resa’s illness and care; from the OCA Diocese of the Midwest:

Online donating to Resa Ellison Fund can be made through Razoo – HERE

Checks payable to

St. Mary’s Orthodox Cathedral (memo Resa Ellison Fund)

1701 Fifth St NE

Minneapolis, MN 55413

UPDATE: Funeral service at St. Mary’s Orthodox Cathedral (17th Ave. NE & 5th St., Minneapolis) Thursday, January 7th, at 7 PM with visitation beginning at 5 PM. There will be an all night vigil. Those interested in reading should contact St. Mary’s Cathedral Office. 612-781-7667. Funeral Divine Liturgy Friday at 9 AM followed by Parastas and luncheon. Visitation Sunday at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church (312 West Elm St., Urbana, IL) from 3-7 PM with Memorial service at 7 PM. Interment at Bailey Cemetery, Tolono 10:30AM Monday with luncheon to follow at St. Nicholas Church, Urbana. Memorials will be directed to Hogar Rafael Ayau Orphanage in Guatemala via St. Mary’s or St. Nicholas Church.

ALSO … The Trisagion Prayers, in memory of Resa Romani Ellison, will be served tomorrow evening, January 5th, following the Blessing of Water (which follows the 6:30 PM Liturgy) — at St George Church, Houston.

May the All-Merciful Lord grant peace and consolation to her grieving family — May her memory be eternal!