Mary Elliott

Our Heavenly Father called home Mary Joan Elliott on January 1, 2018 (aged 89), and she will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Joan moved to Akron when she was 9 years old. She attended Saint Paul's Elementary School in Akron, as well as Saint Vincent High School, and graduated from Garfield High School. An exceptionally motivated and hard-working person, Joan put herself through college at a time when few women pursued - let alone finished - college degrees. She graduated with a BS in Education from the University of Akron, and taught at her alma mater, Saint Paul's Elementary, as well as in the Akron Public School system, before moving to the Los Angeles area. Joan continued her education, earning both an MA and PhD from the University of Southern California, while teaching full time in Torrance, California. She taught high school English in the Torrance Unified School District for over 40 years. In addition to her love of teaching and literature, Joan's true passion was training champion German Shepherds. Her dogs participated in international Schutzhund competitions in the United States, Yugoslavia, Belgium, France, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Finland, and Switzerland, receiving many awards and trophies. Joan attended Saint James Catholic Church in Redondo Beach. She lived in the city of Rolling Hills Estates near Torrance for almost 50 years. Joan is preceded in death by her parents, Raymond L. Elliot and Mary B. Elliott. She is survived by her sister, Arlene Elliott, her brother, Raymond Elliott, sister in law Leanna Elliott, nephew Sean Elliott, nieces Shannon Elliott (Nabil Khawla) and Kerry Helms, great-nephews James, Thomas and Jacob Elliott, Ramy Khawla-Elliott and Logan Helms, and great-nieces Kailee Helms and Noura Khawla-Elliott. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Saint Paul's Catholic Church, Akron, Ohio on Saturday, January 13 at 11:00am. A rosary will be said at 9:45 am on Saturday, just prior to the mass at Saint Paul's Catholic Church. Burial will follow the mass at the family plot at Holy Cross Cemetery. Flowers may be sent to Hummel Funeral Home, 500 E Exchange Street, Akron, Ohio, 44304. Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, 322 8th Avenue (7th Floor), New York, NY, 10001.