Sad news about a wonderful person.

-----Original Message-----
From: WSUSA
To: DLRunyan@...
Sent: Sat, 3 Sep 2005 10:51:02 AM Eastern Daylight Time
Subject: WSUSA Loss


It is with deep sadness that I must inform our membership and friends of the
recent death of Jan Elix. Below is a note from our chairperson.



Jan Arelano Elix lost her courageous battle with cancer on the afternoon of
August 26, 2005. Wheelchair sports in the United States will never be the same.
We will miss her conviction, her passion, her attention to every detail (AKA
OCD), but we will never forget Jan.

Jan began her involvement in wheelchair sports in the early 1970's as an athlete
in San Jose, CA. She competed as a Class 1A on the De Anza College team for many
years in track and field events, when the 100m was a distance event and proving
that quads really weren't supposed to throw the javelin (and along came the club
throw). Jan was one tough quad, pushing around in that 40 pound E&J "racing
chair"! But, Jan's favorite event was Table Tennis, which she lovingly called
"Ka-nick Ka-nack", never "Ping Pong". Yes, she was passionate about her sport!

Jan's passion evolved to the administrative side of wheelchair sports. She has
spent the past three decades devoted to the Far West Athletic Association and
nationally to the development and implementation of junior wheelchair sports.
Jan has assumed many roles with Far West and WSUSA: Far West regional meet
director too many times to count; National Junior Wheelchair (Disability)
Championships director, twice; Vice-Chair WSUSA; Junior Committee member from
its inception; team leader on USA International Junior teams; director, regional
playoffs and Nationals for Wheelchair Basketball; WSUSA Hall of Fame member; and
so on. Wheelchair sports has lost a champion, but we will always remember her
contributions to our sport.

Jan and I have shared the "long, strange trip" of thirty plus years in
wheelchair sports. We started out together in the '70s, when track practice was
a social gathering followed by the main event, lunch. Over the years, we've
crisscrossed the country so many times going to one competition or the other,
and our lives have crisscrossed, raising two beautiful children simultaneously.
In all of our adventures, one thing for sure, Jan was always looking for that
place in the sun.

Jan always met each challenge face on with zealous determination, from directing
a national championship to chasing after her junior wards in a foreign land to
fighting the demon cancer. Jan lived her life to the very fullest, giving parts
of herself to everyone she ever touched, leaving a enduring memory in all of us.
We will see Jan's legacy in everything we do.

Saturday, September 3, 2005 we will celebrate a remarkable life, to borrow words
form Megan, at 12:00 noon at Transfiguration Catholic Community church at 4325
Jarvis Ave, San Jose, CA 95118. We will rejoice that we had Jan in our lives,
and remember what was important to her, her family, her friends, and that place
in the sun (with a Mai Tai).

If you would like to make a memorial donation, Jan designated "Far West
Wheelchair Sports" as the agency that would benefit from your donation. Far West
is a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization: http://www.fwws.org/about_fwws.htm.
Donations may be mailed to the Hoover Community Center, c/o FWWS, 1677 Park Ave.
San José, CA 95126.





Barbara Chambers, Chair
Wheelchair Sports, USA
Office: (702)799-0104
Cell: (702)592-9936





Attached Message
From:BChamb8677
To:WSUSA; FriendsHC; bdconyers@...; ableakney@...; Bob11155;
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cliff@...; bewing@...; c.housner.glasa@...;
DCSCHAMP96; Darlene16; hutchiec@...; dana.jackson@...;
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pauldepace@...; philg1234@...; ralph461@...;
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lauri.yarwasky@...
Subject:In celebration of Jan
Date:Thu, 1 Sep 2005 12:21:46 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Jan Arelano Elix lost her courageous battle with cancer on the afternoon of
August 26, 2005. Wheelchair sports in the United States will never be the same.
We will miss her conviction, her passion, her attention to every detail (AKA
OCD), but we will never forget Jan.
Jan began her involvement in wheelchair sports in the early 1970's as an athlete
in San Jose, CA. She competed as a Class 1A on the De Anza College team for many
years in track and field events, when the 100m was a distance event and proving
that quads really weren't supposed to throw the javelin (and along came the club
throw). Jan was one tough quad, pushing around in that 40 pound E&J "racing
chair"! But, Jan's favorite event was Table Tennis, which she lovingly called
"Ka-nick Ka-nack", never "Ping Pong". Yes, she was passionate about her sport!
Jan's passion evolved to the administrative side of wheelchair sports. She has
spent the past three decades devoted to the Far West Athletic Association and
nationally to the development and implementation of junior wheelchair sports.
Jan has assumed many roles with Far West and WSUSA: Far West regional meet
director too many times to count; National Junior Wheelchair (Disability)
Championships director, twice; Vice-Chair WSUSA; Junior Committee member from
its inception; team leader on USA International Junior teams; director, regional
playoffs and Nationals for Wheelchair Basketball; WSUSA Hall of Fame member; and
so on. Wheelchair sports has lost a champion, but we will always remember her
contributions to our sport.
Jan and I have shared the "long, strange trip" of thirty plus years in
wheelchair sports. We started out together in the '70s, when track practice was
a social gathering followed by the main event, lunch. Over the years, we've
crisscrossed the country so many times going to one competition or the other,
and our lives have crisscrossed, raising two beautiful children simultaneously.
In all of our adventures, one thing for sure, Jan was always looking for that
place in the sun.
Jan always met each challenge face on with zealous determination, from directing
a national championship to chasing after her junior wards in a foreign land to
fighting the demon cancer. Jan lived her life to the very fullest, giving parts
of herself to everyone she ever touched, leaving a enduring memory in all of us.
We will see Jan's legacy in everything we do.
Saturday, September 3, 2005 we will celebrate a remarkable life, to borrow words
form Megan, at 12:00 noon at Transfiguration Catholic Community church at 4325
Jarvis Ave, San Jose, CA 95118. We will rejoice that we had Jan in our lives,
and remember what was important to her, her family, her friends, and that place
in the sun (with a Mai Tai).
If you would like to make a memorial donation, Jan designated "Far West
Wheelchair Sports" as the agency that would benefit from your donation. Far West
is a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization: http://www.fwws.org/about_fwws.htm.
Donations may be mailed to the Hoover Community Center, c/o FWWS, 1677 Park Ave.
San José, CA 95126.


Barbara Chambers, Chair
Wheelchair Sports, USA
Office: (702)799-0104
Cell: (702)592-9936


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