Elissa Zonis

Elissa Richmond Zonis, of Quincy and Marblehead, died on April 6, 2025, two days shy of her 88th birthday. She passed peacefully, surrounded by loving family. She was predeceased by Melvin, her devoted husband of 57 years.

She leaves behind children Beth Zonis (Ron Levine) of Lexington, Jon Zonis (Jennifer) of New Canaan, and Louise Zonis (David Fox) of San Francisco; and grandchildren Charlotte, Maia, Evan, Josh and Bridget.

Elissa was born in Cambridge on April 8, 1937, to Eve and Louis Richmond. After Beaver Country Day School, Elissa attended Wheaton College, majoring in French and spending a summer at the Sorbonne. She then enrolled in the Simmons School of Social Work.

One year into her social work master's degree, Elissa nonchalantly walked by Mel in her swimsuit at the Sidney Hill Country Club in Newton. Sparks flew on that auspicious day. A year later on June 2, 1960, Elissa and Mel were married in a beautiful ceremony at Elissa’s childhood home in Marblehead.

Shortly after their honeymoon on Cape Cod, Mel and Elissa moved to Indianapolis, where Mel was stationed as an Army physician. Elissa resumed her MSW studies at Indiana University.

In the early 60s, pregnancy notoriously limited many women’s career options. But Elissa was not one for such limitations. Whilst eight months pregnant with Beth, Elissa graduated from IU with an MSW.

When Elissa’s youngest child, Louise, reached first grade, Elissa began her social work career in earnest. She spent 20 years counseling single mothers at St. Margaret’s Hospital in Dorchester. She then went on to St. Elizabeth’s in Brighton, followed by Nova Psychiatric Services in Quincy. She loved her work and was highly sought after for her compassion and problem-solving skills. She retired at age 86.

Elissa referred to her parenting years as a high point. She embraced motherhood with a singular focus. She was determined that her three children would be out of diapers by age one, learn to read by five, master piano and tennis by 10, and learn to swim, ski, and speak French by 15. She modeled her children after herself, with rigor and routine.

Elissa opened up a world of travel to her family. From the double-decker buses of London to the salty buoyancy of the Dead Sea, Zonis family trips offered glimpses into foreign lands, foods, and cultures. Once they were empty nesters themselves, Elissa and Mel continued their annual travels to Australia, Argentina, Hong Kong, Africa, and beyond.

Elissa possessed a dogged determination, drive and discipline along with a deep compassion for others. She held the highest of standards for herself and her family regarding education, culture, nutrition, manners and fitness. Tennis was one of her life’s passions. She reached the heights of the sport by winning a set against son Jon when he was on his way up and she was at her peak. She enjoyed a top ten New England singles ranking into her 60s.

Elissa and Mel helped nourish their fairytale marriage of 57 years with 20,805 shared servings of wild salmon. For the STEM readers here, that’s 57x365 portions of salmon. That salmon fueled their high-octane summer routine in Marblehead with 6 am swims, 9 am tennis, afternoon beach walks in torn Harvard sweatshirts, gussying up for evening mocktails on the deck, lobsters on the patio, and late-night bridge games.

Elissa was a longtime member of the Quincy Tennis Club, the Quincy YMCA, the Weymouth Club, the JCC in Marblehead, and Congregation Sha’aray Shalom in Hingham. After Mel’s death, she cultivated and deepened friendships with her wonderful neighbors on Puritan Drive in Quincy.

We will remember Elissa, aka “the Duchess,” for her unconditional love, boundless energy, discipline, and joie de vivre. She was one of a kind.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Thomas Crane Public Library or Milton Academy to honor Elissa’s passions for reading and education.

May Elissa Zonis’s memory be an abiding blessing.