Ellen Sakura Elkins

Ellen Sakura Elkins, 48, of Meriden, CT passed away January 8, 2015 at Yale New Haven Hospital of apparent heart failure. She was born September 8, 1966 in Sagami-Ono, Japan, the first child of Dennis and Sakuko Elkins. She attended Valley Regional High School in Deep River and Middlesex Community College in Middletown. At Middlesex Community College, she continuously made the Dean's List and received the Bates/MacFarland Research Award and was a member of Beta Gamma Xi Honor Society. Married to Darin John Cessario on July 23, 2001 in Branford. At the time of her death she resided in Meriden. She suffered for many years from an unknown international travel illness that caused frequent health issues that eventually led to autoimmune diseases, Crohns Disease and Diabetes and resulted in many setbacks over a period of 15 years. As a dedicated housewife and Mom caring for her four children, she had recently had a surgical procedure that seemed to eliminate the issues she frequently faced and began working with her husband in the technology field doing internet marketing and engineering software solutions. She was a certified Hub Spot Inbound marketer and one of the first to develop web sites on their platform. She gamed six hundred levels deep and was a software genius. Throughout her life, despite the frequent health setbacks, she was always a giver, something that she was exceptionally proud of. She would say that despite what her family was experiencing, there were many people in much worse conditions that could use a little support and assistance and she would be the first to provide that support. Her captivating smile and unusual laugh resulted in everyone she came in contact with having an instant attraction to her. Ellen is survived by her husband Darin, children Dylan, Emily, Blake and Tyler, parents Dennis and Saki Elkins, sister Lori and nephew Lucas. A memorial service will be held 1 PM Saturday, January 17th in the Auditorium of the Masonic Health Care Center, 22 Masonic Ave, Wallingford. A memorial fund has been established to aid the surviving children and donations can be made at http://www.gofundme.com/jy9i8o or can be sent to the Ellen Elkins Family Relief Fund c/o Lori Blair, 553 Essex Road, Westbrook, CT 06498 or call Dennis Elkins at 813-598-1153. Heartfelt thanks to everyone Ellen touched and a special thanks to the Masonic family of Connecticut for their support and assistance through this trying time. Ellen recently wrote a poem that was discovered by her children after her passing that had a line in it that perfectly fit her outlook and concern for everyone's well being….'Reach out your hand and cling to me'. We will always remember Ellen as one who was Vibrant, Loving and Caring despite any personal issues she was facing.