Elisa Hughey

On the morning of June 15, 2016 the world said goodbye to a ray of light in our community. Elisa B. Hughey, 48, of Ellicottville passed in her home surrounded by her loved ones.

Elisa was born in Springville to James Hughey Sr. and Susan Beach on January 12, 1968. She graduated high school from West Valley Central. She fell in love and married Inigo De Orbe on September 18, 1999 in Rascafria, Spain. They had their first son Adrian in November of 2002 and their second son Ignacio in August of 2004. Elisa held three degrees, Bachelors from Alfred University, a Masters in Art Education from Buffalo State College and a Masters in Fine Art from University of Buffalo. Elisa worked as a teacher in her twenties before leaving to start her own business as an Interior Designer and opening the home furnishing store Aardvark in Ellicottville.

Elisa is survived by her husband Inigo De Orbe and their two children Adrian and Ignacio, Sister Brenda Hughey, Brother James Hughey Jr. (Kristin), Sister Sarah Hughey Linsler, Sister Laura Heintz (Chris), Mother, Susan Beach, Father, James Hughey Sr. (Kathleen), 5 nephews, niece, Aunts, Uncles, cousins and friends.

Elisa was a woman who loved life and all that it encompassed, possessing a unique ability to find beauty in everything from a simple meal to the whisper of trickling water. This modest woman was easy to be around and touched the heart of every person she met. She will be remembered for her incredible sense of humor, her generous heart, her love of life and her amazing strength. As an artist she has had her work on display at Albright Knox Art Gallery, Luminous Gallery, and Chautauqua Center for the Visual Arts, and other art galleries around WNY. Elisa was a woman who refused to let her illness stop her from living a normal life. She was a fighter to the bone. This unbelievable athlete began long distance running to stay healthy and feel normal while fighting cancer. Elisa ran her first Marathon in 3:20 and won her age group in Buffalo. This qualified her for the Boston Marathon which she ran the following spring. She accomplished this all, while undergoing cancer treatments. Elisa did not believe in giving up; she simply persevered with a smile and inner strength. She was an inspiration to many and will be deeply missed but never forgotten by her community and loved ones.

A memorial mass will be held at Holy Name of Mary RC Church in Ellicottville on Thursday, June 23, 2016 at 11 a.m. with Rev. Ronald Mierzwa, pastor, as celebrant.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and under the direction of the O’Rourke & O’Rourke Inc Funeral Home, 25 River Street, Salamanca, New York.

E-condolences can be sent to john@orourke-orourke.com or posted to facebook.com/onofh.