Clarissa Elias 1941-2024
CANFIELD — Clarissa “Corkey” Elias passed away peacefully, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, surrounded by her family.
Corkey was born Jan. 19, 1941, in Youngstown, the daughter of John and Helen Price Horney.
She was a lifelong resident of the Youngstown area, graduating from Wilson High School in 1958, where she was a proud majorette with the Wilson High School Marching Band.
Corkey attended college in Maryland, where she majored in secretarial studies. She was a secretary with Travelers Insurance for many years and then was employed at St. Elizabeth Medical Center, where she worked as head secretary in the department of anesthesiology for 25 years. She retired in 2010.
Corkey met the love of her life, Bob Elias, in 1977. They were married in 1980 and enjoyed 44 years together.
Corkey was an avid football fan. She loved the Pittsburgh Steelers, and especially Notre Dame, where her brother John played on the 1966 National Football Championship team. Bob and Corkey enjoyed 35 years of attending games at Notre Dame, never missing a season. Corkey also greatly enjoyed watching NFL and college football, golf and tennis.
Her favorite vacation spot was the Outer Banks in North Carolina. She and Bob loved the many years they spent there enjoying the ocean and delicious seafood. She cherished her trips to Atlanta, Georgia, where she visited family.
She was a wonderful cook and enjoyed inviting many friends and many priests to dine with her and Bob at their lovely home. An animal lover at heart, Corkey had many beautiful dogs in her life. Jessica, Katie, Mollie and Molly were fortunate to be her beloved cocker spaniels.
Corkey was a lifelong member of St. Dominic Parish, where she was involved in various parish projects. She also enjoyed being a member of a group of friends, the 1958 graduates of Wilson High, who met monthly to go to dinner and enjoy each other’s company.
Corkey was preceded in death by her parents, John and Helen Horney; her brother, Dr. John Horney; her sister, Sandra Laverie; and her brother-in-law, Howard Laverie.
She leaves to cherish her memory, her husband, Bob; her sister-in-law, Alice Horney Simpson; her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Roger and Carole Elias; her nieces, Dr. Debra Laverie, Sara (John) Utsch, Monica Herring, Erin (Chris) Gannon and Katherine (Michael) Neuenfeldt; and her great-nieces and great-nephews, Charlie, Mae Mae, Amelia and Henry Utsch; Jack, Julia, Quinn and Francie Herring; Paddy, Claire and Billy Gannon; and J.P. and Teddy Neuenfeldt.
Calling hours will be 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 5, 2024, at the Fox Funeral Home, Boardman.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 6, 2024, at St. Dominic Parish, Youngstown, celebrated by the Rev. Vincent DeLucia, O. P.
Following Mass, Corkey will be laid to rest in Calvary Cemetery, Youngstown.
Corkey’s family would like to extend a special “Thank You” to the doctors and staff at the Hope Center, and SouthWoods Hospital and Imaging Center for the great care they gave to Corkey.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Rescue Mission of Mahoning Valley and to Animal Charity.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Edward J. Fox & Sons Funeral Home, 4700 Market St., Boardman. Family and friends of Clarissa may visit www.foxfuneralhome.org to view this obituary and to leave condolences for the Elias family.
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