Elena Valentinova Jeliazkova

Elena Valentinova Jeliazkova, 35, passed away July 9, 2022. She was born May 5, 1987 in Sofia, Bulgaria. She and her family moved to the United States when Elena was 3 years old. Before the family settled in Sarasota, FL, Elena spent some of her childhood in Hong Kong studying at the British Beacon Hill School and taking ballet lessons at the Royal Ballet Dancing Company. Growing up in Sarasota, she learned to play piano and loved helping to care for her younger sister, Vesta, when she joined the family in 1996.
In 2004, Elena graduated from Pine View School and continued her education at the University of Florida and New College of Florida. In 2011, She earned her Bachelors degree in General Studies with a specialization in Psychoneuroimmunology from the New College of Florida. She defended her thesis, Redefining Mental Health: Is Depression a Symptom of Chronic Inflammation?, which can be found at https://elena-j.weebly.com She recently earned her Health and Wellness Coaching and Holistic Nutrition Coaching certification from the American Fitness Professionals and Associates with the intention of providing her own coaching services. She offered gifted support in nutrition, mental health and chronic disease. Elena volunteered much of her time helping others. Notably, she was a highly ranked volunteer for www.7cups.com, the on-demand emotional health service and online therapy provider. Her other volunteer work included after school tutoring for underprivileged children in the Sarasota/Bradenton area and helping meet the therapeutic and educational needs of autistic children at Children's Haven.
Going to the beach, swimming in the gulf, painting and drawing with oil pastels, and yoga were things Elena loved to do. She had a bright aura and playful personality that quickly touched those around her.
Left to cherish her memory are her parents, Valentin Zhelyaskov and Mariana Sendova; sister, Vesta Zhelyaskova; aunts and uncles, Krasimira (Nikolai) and Hristo (Kristina); cousins, Hristo, Miglena, Stoyan, Kiril, Sabina and Antonia; grandmothers, Elena Rangelova and Vyara Sendova.
Elena is predeceased by her grandfathers, Rangel Rangelov and Stoyan Sendov.
Elena was very kind, giving, courageous, and strong in spite of battling many chronic illnesses for 18 years. Memories and condolences may be left for the family online at www.MFHcares.com.
In lieu of gifts and flowers and in support of Elena's passion for holistic medicine particularly for children, please consider a small contribution in her memory to the Children's Health Defense, Florida Chapter at \https://fl.childrenshealthdefense.org/about-us/donate/