Elissa Raquel Quijas, 32, of Olathe, Kansas passed away from complications of liver disease, due to alcoholism, on June 19, 2022.

She was born on January 6th, 1990, at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri. She graduated from Olathe South High School in 2008 and went on to attend the University of Kansas to pursue a degree in graphic arts. After her freshman year at KU, life changed course, bringing her to Heritage College where she earned her Associates Degree. Shortly thereafter, she became a licensed massage therapist and esthetician. Helping others became her calling.

Elissa was passionate about art, creating in whatever capacity moved her, be it painting, pottery, or sketching. She wrote poetry daily, became a vegetarian at the age of 12, took all the AP classes in high school and still managed straight A’s while being the editor of the school newspaper, even writing/illustrating her own comic strip titled “Elissa explains it all.” She enjoyed traveling, hiking and regularly volunteered her time at food pantries and homeless shelters within her community. Serving others is what filled her heart.

Elissa, and her family, lived countless days, turned into years, carrying the weight of alcoholism alongside her. Every prayer she received from friends, family, treatment centers, and healthcare workers, gave hope to her recovery.

Elissa is survived by her parents, Darren and Josie Strickler, three sisters, Erika (Ryan) McCarthy, and Halie and Andrea Strickler; two nephews, Cayden and Mayson McCarthy, and a niece, Farrah McCarthy; in addition to many aunts, uncles and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her biological father, John Quijas; Grandparents, Mamiliano and Teresa Serda and Helen and Louis Quijas; Aunts, Graciela Yarbrough, and Juana Serda, and cousins, Rebecca Chacon and Eric Strickler.

For those affected by alcoholism, continue to pray for recovery and never ever give up hope.

To leave a message of condolence for Elissa's family or to share a special memory of Elissa, please click the “Share Memories” button above.