Our family’s world was shattered in August 2020 when our daughter Elektra passed away from complications of her congenital heart defect.
Elektra was born and baptized in the NICU at UCSF hospital on a rainy day in November, with unprecedented thunder and lightning, causing a titanic shift in our lives. The weeks and months after Elektra’s birth were the most difficult time of our lives, second only to the pain we feel now.
We never gave up hope for Elektra. God blessed us with over 22 years of love and a joy that could not be diminished by her condition. She was the essence of bravery, and considered herself a Heart Warrior.
Elektra was a happy, successful, inspiring young woman who did not let her health challenges deter her. She graduated from high school in 2017, receiving the Head of School Award for resilience and determination. She received academic scholarships from the Metropolis of San Francisco, Nativity of Christ Greek Orthodox Church, the Pancretan Association of America and Dominican University of California. While in high school Elektra started her own business, Elektra’s Dog Treats.
Elektra was on course to receive her Bachelor’s degree in Global Public Health from Dominican University of California in May 2021. She felt very strongly about public health, voting and social justice. Her dream was to become a pediatric cardiac nurse, inspired by so many wonderful nurses she met over the years.
A highlight of Elektra’s life was Greek dance. Elektra was extremely shy, but she could command the attention of hundreds of people when she danced solo at conventions, festivals and the annual Greek Orthodox Folk Dance Festival. She loved spending time at the beach in Crete, Lake Camanche, our pool and Hawaii.
We were blessed to spend the days leading up to her death at the lake doing her favorite things: swimming, boating, floating and camping. During the day she floated in the water, in the kayak or on the stand-up paddle board with our dogs Max and Cleo. We got to experience the perfect vacation and the happiest days of our family life, and we will always cherish those memories.
Elektra’s death was untimely for us but not unexpected. She taught us that being physically challenged does not mean you are disabled. She taught us to experience and be grateful for every moment. She tried to do so many things but her body just couldn’t keep up.
She had spunk, she was sassy, she was stubborn and she was a spitfire. Elektra is our shining star. She is our super hero. She will live forever in our hearts.
~ Vasilis, Effie, Achilleas & Odysseas Fourakis
