Lisa Claire Elvington, age 48, died on March 27 after a courageous battle with cancer. Lisa Claire was a loving mother of daughter Emma Nicole - the light of her life, beloved wife of Ron Kunkel, devoted daughter, professional, volunteer, and wonderful friend to many. She is survived by her parents, Brice and Carolyn Elvington, of Fair Bluff, NC. Lisa Claire graduated from West Columbus High School in Cerro Gordo, North Carolina, in 1979, where she was the valedictorian of her class. She earned a Bachelor's of Science in Pharmacy (1984) and a Master's of Science in Pharmacy Administration (1988) from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. During her undergraduate studies, she was a Johnston Scholar and a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority. Lisa Claire had a highly distinguished career in marketing and marketing research at Glaxo, Inc. and Glaxo Wellcome from 1988-2003. Everyone agrees that Lisa Claire would consider her brightest moments the opportunity to love and raise her daughter, Emma. She was so very proud of Emma's achievements - winning a writing contest, selling the most Girl Scout cookies, performing a solo at the Christmas program at church, just to name a few. But mainly she loved Emma for being Emma, the remarkable, beautiful girl she is on both the inside and out. Lisa Claire loved life, lived it fully, and found beauty in every situation. She had an amazing spirit of generosity, always offered a listening ear, and shared her wonderful sense of humor. She loved good literature, music, art, and gardening. In recent years, she was an active volunteer at Emma's school and a Girl Scout leader. Lisa Claire loved adventure and traveled the world from the Alps to the Grand Canyon, yet was a true Carolina girl, who cherished mountain and beach trips with her family. Always larger than life, she loved life's simplest treasures and was a reminder to us all of what is really important in life - family, friends, and giving back. The family wishes to say a special thank you to neighborhood friends, church friends and Chapel Hill friends who have provided so much love and comfort during this difficult time. An open memorial service will be held on Tuesday, March 30, at 2 p.m. at the University United Methodist Church at 150 East Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, NC, with a reception following immediately afterwards in the fellowship hall. On Wednesday morning, March 31, at 11 a.m., there will be a graveside service in Fair Bluff, NC at the Powell Cemetery with a reception immediately afterwards for family and out-of-town guests at the Fair Bluff United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in Lisa Claire's name to either the Susan G. Komen For The Cure Foundation for breast cancer research (www.komen.org) or the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America for Crohn's research (www.ccfa.org).

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