Sunday Memorial Set for Local Outdoorswoman

Elaine Gjonovich, of San Clemente died Monday, leaving behind a husband, four daughters, four grandchildren and countless friends and family members.

She succumbed after her fight with a rare form of cancer.

She was 51.

“The family is comforted by the fact that she knew where she would go when she passed on, and she is now dancing with her Jesus in heaven,” said her husband Richard Gjonovich. “Her faith was just huge to her, and it’s how friends and family are getting through.”

Friends and community members had banded together over the past months to help defray medical costs through fundraisers.

Elaine Gjonovich started the Outdoor Fitness Adventure Club, leading hundreds—if not thousands—through the trails around San Clemente, her husband said.

“She loved this community dearly,” Richard Gjonovich said. “She was also very into the wilderness.”

Elaine Gjonovich was part of the committee that designed the comprehensive trail map of the major trail systems in the city, a PDF copy of which is available on the city website.

Elaine and her husband met on the trails of San Jacinto seven years ago—she hiking and Richard backpacking. She had lived in San Clemente since 1979, and Richard lived in Garden Grove.

She’ll be survived by her husband, four daughters—Rashelle, Nicholl, Veronica and Mara—and four grandchildren.

Richard said the entire community is welcome to attend a memorial to celebrate Elaine’s life at 4:30 p.m. Sunday at Heritage Christian Fellowship, 190 Ave. La Pata.

Donations to help with the family’s medical costs are welcome. Checks can be made payable to Helping Hearts 4 Friends. Write "Elaine Gjonovich" in the memo section, and mail the check to family friend Gina Cousineau, 211 W. Avenida Cordoba, San Clemente, CA 92672.

Online donations can be made as well at helpinghearts4friends.org, where donors can directly add to Elaine's fund. All donations are tax deductible and 100 percent will be available to Elaine's family.

E-mail ginac@bahbad.org with any quesitons.