Elisea Yuson Opeka departed for the heavenly home she was certain awaited her on June 12, 2018. Born June 14, 1947 in Liloan, Cebu, Philippines, she was the youngest of six children of Constancia Noval Yuson and Francisco Mantos Yuson who along with her brother, Juan predeceased her.
Ely completed her nursing degree in 1964 at the University of San Carlos Cebu City, Philippines. In 1969, she left her family and home in the Philippines and moved to the United States. This courageous move was motivated by a desire to make a better life not just for herself, but also for her extended family.
During her 35 years as a registered nurse in Philadelphia, PA, Bradenton, FL, and several locations in Georgia Ely cared for thousands of patients with skill and tender care. She regularly sent money back to her family to provide for their education, forever changing the direction and fabric of the family tree for future generations.
Shortly after beginning work in Philadelphia Ely met Carl, her husband of 46 years on a blind date. He was immediately drawn to this pretty nurse and made many trips from Pittsburgh where he was working to Philadelphia to visit her, even when her work schedule allowed for only a few hours. They were married June 17, 1972 and became the proud parents of Lisa and Radly.
Ely enjoyed travel with her family and friends, and was fortunate to visit Canada, the Caribbean, Egypt, Ireland, England, several other European countries, Israel, and of course, visits home to the Philippines. One of the great joys in her life was taking her children and grandchildren to her homeland and introducing them to family, friends and places she knew from her early life.
In 2003 Ely and Carl moved from their home of 26 years in Snellville to their retirement home in Summerville, GA. Living just down the road from their daughter and her family gave them the gift of being close to two of their grandchildren and provided a beautiful woodland backdrop of dogwoods for her gardening passion. To this backdrop she added roses, gardenias, hostas and other plants transplanted from her Snellville home, and Ely spent many peaceful hours tending her flowers.
In addition to her husband Carl, Ely is survived by her daughter Lisa, husband Matt and grandchildren Malia and Michael of Summerville; son Radly, wife Julie, granddaughter Kylie, and step granddaughters Brittani Haag and Summer Haag of Loganville; grandson Dylan, wife Kayla and great-grandson Levi of Sandy Springs; four siblings and more than 30 nieces and nephews in California and the Philippines.
The family wishes to express special appreciation to the Thursday Ladies’ Prayer Group at St. Mary’s Catholic Church for providing love, support and concern during her illness and to Dr. Melissa Dillmon and other medical professionals at the Harbin Oncology for their never-ending tender care.
A life-long member of the Catholic faith, Ely is a member of St. Clement’s Catholic Church, 875 Highway 53, Calhoun where a memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 16 at 3:30 with a reception following the service. The burial will be a private family event.
For those who wish to honor her memory, in lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Cancer Navigators, 3 Central Plaza # 415, Rome, GA 30161 and designated In Memory of Ely Opeka.
