Elisa Facio

1957 - 2018

Although the teacher may be gone the lessons remain with the students.

Elisa passed away peacefully in her parent's home in West Sacramento on Thursday, August 30, 2018 after an extensive battle with terminal cancer. She was lovingly surrounded by her mother, sister and niece and embraced by Native American spiritual music as she made her final journey. Elisa was born on April 28, 1957 in Toppenish, WA. As a young girl, Elisa's parents moved to West Sacramento seeking better employment opportunities. She attended the local elementary schools and worked various jobs around the West Sacto area. Elisa graduated with honors from James Marshall High School in West Sacto. in 1975. She then pursued her dreams of college and graduated from Santa Clara University (Cum Laude) with a B.S. in Sociology, and a M.A. and Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of California, Berkley. Upon receiving her doctorate, Elisa was awarded a Postdoctoral Fellowship from the National Institute of Aging (NIA) at the University of California, San Francisco. In 1991, Elisa was appointed as an Assist. Professor in the Dept. of Sociology at the University of Colorado, Boulder. She received tenure and was promoted to an Associate Professor. She also held an affiliate faculty appointment in the Women and Gender Studies Dept. In 2014, Elisa accepted an appointment at Eastern Washington University, Spokane, WA as Associate Professor and Director of the Chicano Education Program. Elisa's last appointment was at Sonoma State University in the fall of 2017. Over a 20 Year academic career, Elisa's research and teaching interests were embedded in the areas of age, aging and generations, Chicana and Indigenous feminist knowledge(s), Social movements, health care studies, globalization and gender studies, research methods including Indigenous and feminist epistemologies and spirituality studies. Among the many distinctions, honors and accolades of her career was the 1996 National Hispanic Teacher of the Year (Hispanic Magazine).

Elisa traveled the world, but especially loved to visit with her family. During some visits with her nieces and nephew, and her many family members she spent much time mentoring and motivating them to pursue their academic ambitions, college degrees and careers. She loved all types of music, going to the movies with her mom and sister, salsa dancing, talking sports with her brother, and visiting family and friends. Elisa loved cooking her mother's authentic Mexican recipes. Elisa was an avid sports fan of the Denver Nuggets, Denver Broncos and the Colorado Rockies. Elisa was also a soccer and tennis fan, and recently enjoyed NCAAW and WNBA basketball. Elisa now rests with her father, Ernie Facio, Sr. She is survived by her mother Petra (Pat) of West Sacramento, her brother Ernie Jr. (Deborah) of Elk Grove, her sister Cynthia Facio-Ortiz (Javier) of West Sacramento, and her nieces Vanessa Facio (Mandy), Cecily Ortiz (fiance Tony), and nephew Christopher Jorrin (Rebecca). Her greatest joy, light, and life forces are her great nephews Aiden and Diego. Elisa is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles and cousins in California, Colorado and Washington. And finally, Elisa's pet companions Mr. Kitty Facio and Diego Rivera Facio are reunited and joined her on her final journey. Frida Kahlo Facio enjoys the attentive care she receives with her new foster mom.

Family, friends and colleagues are invited to attend a Celebration of Life for Elisa on Monday, October 22, 2018 at 11:00 AM at Harry A. Nauman & Son. Burial at St. Mary's Cemetery 6509 Fruitridge Rd, Sacramento, CA 95820. Reception potluck to follow at Elk Grove Pavilion 9950 Elk Grove-Florin Road, Elk Grove CA 95624. Everyone is encouraged to wear something purple which was Elisa's favorite color.