Loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother
Maria Elisa Carrion of Radcliff, Ky., passed away peacefully at age 97 after living a rich, full life.
Elisa, affectionately called Eli by friends and family, was born on Feb. 27, 1927, in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, to Pedro and Trinidad (Don Pedro and Dona Trina) Castanon. She grew up in a modest house in the country where her parents raised chickens, goats and pigs. As a child, her favorite toys were the beautiful dolls her grandfather would bring home from his travels and as an adult, her fascination with dolls continued and she collected dolls from around the world.
In school, Elisa was an 'A' student who was loved by her teachers, and she had a special fondness and talent for poetry. She left school early to train as a nurse and began her nursing career at age 17 at El Hospital del Distrito in Arecibo. There, she met the son of a patient - the man who would become her husband, Octavio Carrion. They remained married until his death at age 79, sharing many military travel adventures and raising six children together. Wherever the military sent them, Elisa filled the house with the aroma of their favorite island dishes and made it a home for her family as they lived in Germany, Panama, Puerto Rico and around the U.S.
Elisa and Octavio retired in Radcliff, where Eli devoted her days to her children and grandchildren, friends and the Jehovah's Witnesses community, where she was a long-time member of the Lincoln Trail Congregation.
Elisa was predeceased by her husband Octavio, sisters Maria Ermelinda and Maria Teresa, and brother Luis.
She is survived by her children Carmen Edwards (Daniel), Gilda Gibson (Howard), Peter (Kathryn), Martin, Louis (Restituta), and Elisabeth Hesser (Kevin); her grandchildren Shane (Rebecca), Jason, Eric (Lauren), Andrew, Kyle, Joey, Sheryl, Raphael, David and Rachel; and great-grandchildren Jackson, Collin, Ligaya Mae, Sofie and Rylan.
She will be remembered for her kindness and love, her gentle ways and strength, her faith, her love of flowers and birds and children, and always, her devotion to Familia.
• Funeral Services will be held at 12 noon on Friday, July 26 at the Nelson-Edelen-Bennett Funeral Home, located at 2072 S. Dixie Blvd., Radcliff, Ky. 40160 (phone: 270-351-3172).
• Visitation will be from 5pm-8pm on Thursday, July 25 and will continue from 11am to noon, immediately preceding funeral services.
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