Illissa Kay Abrahams

Illissa Kay Abrahams, 66

Artist, Graphic Designer, Peep Connoisseur, Lover of Life

After many years struggling with debilitating tinnitus and fighting advanced lung cancer, Illissa passed away peacefully Feb 19, 2023. She had been attended with great care and compassion by Hennepin Healthcare Hospice for the past 2 years, living in her own home, surrounded by all things she loved.

Illissa was born in Dayton, OH to Harris and Betty Jane Abrahams. She is survived by three older half-siblings: Lewis, Nancy and Jeffrey. She is named after her father's father, Isadore Kay Abrahams (Nashville, TN) and carried his same moniker "IK" on into her own life. Anyone who received birthday cards and letters from her is very familiar with her iconic "big hair" IK signoff drawing, although it did evolve and change over the years. But did you know it was inspired by her father's own sign-off "PAPA" drawing with a face and mustache? Her family roots were important to her. She would often channel Fannye Belle, her Nashville grandmother, and adopt a southern belle accent, asking, "Sugar, would you like a Pepsi?"

Illissa has been an illustrator and artist her entire life, with many early examples of her artwork found in her father's saved papers. She was devoted to Harris Abrahams, and he clearly felt the same way about her.

Some early milestones for Illissa include:

October 20, 1962, age 5 -- Consecration at Temple Israel, Dayton, OH

July 1968 -- at Camps Wingfoot and Wingaroo she earned the NRA Marksmanship Certification for her skill on the +50' Qualification Course, as well as achieving Junior Yeoman certification in Archery

July 1970 -- Certificate of Achievement in Art by Dayton Public Schools

Cornell Heights Junior High -- Cheerleader

Fairview High School -- Modeling for Elder-Beermans Department store (where her mother worked for many years)

1973 -- Certificate of Merit, Scholastic Art Awards, with her artwork selected for exhibition in the Southern Ohio Regional Exhibition

Illissa has many friends she calls her family, stretching as far back as grade school and high school. She attended Cornell Heights Elementary school (Dayton, OH) with her dear friends Melanie Brubaker and Julie Sage.

She attended Fairview High School (Dayton, OH), graduating 1975. There are stories of Illissa and friends boycotting events and dances at school, preferring to gather instead to have dinners and parties of their own.

Illissa attended Miami University in Oxford, OH, graduating 1979 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, with a focus on Marketing & Advertising. After graduating, she immediately joined the Ad Agency Kircher Helton & Collett in Dayton, quickly advancing to Asst. Art Director. She met two of her other lifelong friends during this time - Jill Bishop and Robert Marcum, both of whom have been true family to her ever since.

Encouraged by her father to seek a career in a bigger city, she then moved to Atlanta, GA to pursue design work with Genigraphics Corp, as a pioneer in the new field of computer graphic design. She excelled at this company, loved her job being both artist and manager, and many of her co-workers have been in her life ever since, becoming important members of her friends-family.

Later in life, she made Minneapolis her home, working for MoneyGram. She bought a sweet older house in Robbinsdale with a large backyard garden. Her co-worker friends became family to her as well, and they remember her with the same words that are the foundation of Illissa's character: KIND. SMART. CARING. FUNNY.

Illissa created and nurtured deep friendships wherever she went and was supported by so many of these friends during recent years. They share similar words and memories that define her:

Glorious

Magnificent

High-Spirited

Tenacious

Strong, like bull

Scrabble Goddess

Whimsical

Joyful

Vibrant

Coffee!

Smiles

Whisper Buddy

SMART

Peeps!

Best Friends Forever

Creative

Organized

Grateful

20+ years of Birthday Cards!

If you could walk through her house, you would be surrounded by her artistic style. From the artwork and small sculptures on the walls, to the arrangement of small art pieces on all surfaces and adorning her 'fridge, to her AMAZING and eclectic accessories collection -- you would see ILLISSA in everything. She once complained that her house was old and not fancy, but reevaluated that when reminded she had created a cozy home that is a respite from the outside world. Nothing random, everything in its place to be "graphically pleasing."

Her garden is the outside reflection of this same style -- a living, flowering palette of colors and shapes, yard art, and bird feeders. She loved this garden, and the birds and animals it attracted. It became her sanctuary after her cancer diagnosis and treatment. She would sit outside and watch the moon cross the sky or attend the sun going down. And it was the favorite sunshine-spot with friends.

Illissa thanks and gives gratitude to Hennepin Healthcare Hospice services and Open Arms of Minnesota. She donated her remains to University of Minnesota for tinnitus and general medical research and will have a marker in Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis. There will be a private Celebration of Life to honor her final wishes.