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Empathy, brilliance and an infectious enthusiasm — Oceanside’s Elly Colón embodied them all them all in a life that touched so many.
Those who knew and loved Colón, 23, are now mourning their heartbreaking loss. The George Washington University graduate, whose presence lit up every room they entered, died suddenly on Friday, Jan. 24, leaving behind grieving family, friends, colleagues and fellow students, who cherished Colón’s kindness, beauty and boundless curiosity.
“We were blessed to watch Elly grow from an adorable little girl to a beautiful, accomplished, and empathetic young woman,” said her relative Leigh Colón. “A constant throughout her life was her desire to help others even as she navigated her own internal challenges.”
Funeral services for Colón, whose full name was Elysia Korrine Colón and who preferred to be referenced with gender-neutral pronouns, will be held on Sunday, Feb. 2, from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at Towers Funeral Home, 2681 Long Beach Road in Oceanside.
The pride of Oceanside

A 2019 graduate of Oceanside High School, Colón earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from George Washington University in May and was dedicated to the study of mental health and neuroscience.
Colón’s passion for helping others was evident in their work as a Shenoy Undergraduate Research Fellow in Neuroscience (SURFin) at the George Washington Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders Institute. Colon sought to understand social learning mechanisms in both typically developing and autistic children and adolescents.
At Oceanside High School, Colón was a dedicated and engaged student, involved in the National Honor Society, Thespian Honor Society, World Language Honor Society, Mock Trial, Model UN, Model Congress, Philosophy Club, student government and winter track. Colón graduated with honors, earning 15 college credits along the way.
Colón’s impact extended far beyond the classroom. Friends, family and colleagues have shared heartfelt tributes, reflecting on the young person’s kindness and passion for those suffering and in need of support.
Shannon Cahalan, Colon’s mentor through the fellowship program, remembered Colón as a passionate researcher and cherished friend.
“They were so passionate about our work and we connected on our shared interest in psychology, neuroscience, and neurodevelopment,” Cahalan shared in the tribute section of Colón’s obituary, posted by Towers Funeral Home. “It wasn’t long before I counted Elly as a true friend. She was an absolute joy to be around.
“I was inspired by Elly’s passion for advocacy and drive and am hardly surprised that Elly’s impact on their community was far-reaching,” she added.
‘Always smiling’

Colón’s friend Asaru recalled how Colón radiated warmth in every space they entered.
“In every room they were in, they brought such a light that radiantly filled up the space,” Asaru posted in the obituary’s tribute section. “Elly was always smiling, laughing, loving. I remember nights out dancing and Elly would make sure to check on me because she knew I was very shy and struggled with anxiety … Elly was truly one of my favorite people and I’m absolutely gutted.”
Family members echoed these sentiments.
“Our world will never be the same without you, Elly. Your beautiful face, warm heart, contagious laugh, long conversations, and brilliant mind will be forever missed,” her relative Kimberly Colón posted in a touching tribute on Facebook.
A GoFundMe page, organized by Colón’s friend Mickie Lewis, has been established to help cover funeral expenses and support mental health awareness initiatives in Colón’s memory. Nearly 800 donations have poured into the fundraiser that in four days has raised more than $35,000.
“Elly was a passionate advocate for children’s mental health, always striving to raise awareness and provide support to those in need,” the fundraiser states. “We hope that by sharing our story, we can spark a conversation, encourage others to seek help when needed, and remind everyone that no one should feel alone in their battles.”
Top photo: Elly Colón died suddenly on Jan. 24. She was 23 (GoFundMe).