Elissa Jill Woodward, Katelyn’s Giving Tree co-founder
Elissa Jill Woodward, 38, of Millsboro, formerly of Bear, passed away suddenly Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019. She was born in Wilmington Jan. 28, 1981, daughter of Edward Klosowski and Sharon Woodward Klosowski. She was a graduate of Cape Henlopen High School, class of 1998.
When Elissa was young she loved participating in beauty pageants. She was Pee Wee Miss Newark, Junior Miss New Castle and Junior Miss Dream USA.
She was an avid music lover and attended her first concert to see Green Day with her father when she was 14 years old. She passed her love of music on to her daughters and enjoyed many concerts with them.
Elissa had a deep love for animals. She once rescued an abandoned baby possum and made it her pet. She was also a very talented cook. Her love and talent for cooking began when she was only 4 years old. But her greatest joy in life was her girls.
Elissa was co-founder of Katelyn’s Giving Tree, which she and her mother started after Elissa lost her first-born, Katelyn, at the tender age of 19, just 18 months ago. She turned her own tragedy into a purpose. She made it her mission to help teens and young adults in our community. She was very much loved and respected.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Katelyn Woodward; her grandmother, Margaret Klosowski; grandfather, Edward Klosowski Sr.; Pop Pop Robert M. Woodward Sr.; and uncles, Michael, Francis and Jerry Klosowski.
She is survived by her daughters, Hannah and Hailey McElven of Florence, N.J.; parents, Edward and Sharon Klosowski of Millsboro; grandmother, Maxine Woodward of Bear; uncles, Robert Woodward of Bear and Eric Woodward (Suzanne) of Homeville, Pa., David Klosowski of Newark and Mark Klosowski of Newark; and numerous cousins and friends…all of whom she loved dearly.
Memorial Services will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 2, in the chapel of Short Funeral Services, 416 Federal St., Milton.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Katelyn’s Giving Tree, c/o Sharon Klosowski, 24840 Hollyville Road, Millsboro, DE 19966.
