Elissa Mercedes Wolff Burrell

Born Jan. 29, 1924, and went to heaven, March 3, 2014.

Elissa was born to Frederick and Mercedes Wolff and grew up in San Francisco. She graduated from St. Brigid’s High School. At Cal Berkeley she earned a bachelor of arts degree in history with a minor in Spanish, and was a member of the Alpha Xi Delta Sorority. There she met her husband-to-be, Hugh Burrell, M.D., a pre-med student at the time. They fell in love and were married in 1948. Later, in 1956, they moved to Sonoma where he practiced medicine and she raised their five children. Then in 1999, the couple moved to Oakmont, near Santa Rosa, and Dr. Burrell continued to practice medicine until he was 80. Their life together had its ups and downs, including losing a son, Harold, but the love between them never faded – a true love story.

Elissa is survived by her husband of 65 years, Dr. Hugh Burrell, and her children, Peter Burrell, Sharon Whiting, Paul Burrell, and Joan Wishart, and their spouses. They have 10 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and one new great-great-grandson.

Elissa was involved with many causes and volunteer work. She also taught Spanish in the local schools and volunteered at Shriners Hospital for Children. Her mother was Hispanic, and she was very proud of that heritage. She was a member of the San Francisco Opera Guild and Catholic Charities Sonoma Auxiliary.

Friends are invited to attend a funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 11, 2014, at Star of the Valley Catholic Church, 545 White Oak Dr., Santa Rosa. ?A visitation will be held at Duggan’s Mission Chapel, 525 W. Napa St., Sonoma, from 1 to 7 p.m. Monday, March 10.

Interment will be held ?at St. Francis Cemetery, Sonoma.

Donations preferred to Memorial Hospice- Santa Rosa, 439 College Ave., Santa Rosa, CA 95401

Arrangements cared for under the direction of Duggan’s Mission Chapel, Mission Cremation Service. Inquiries can be made to them at (707) 996-3655 or by visiting their website at duggansmissionchapel.com.