Elise Grace Paine's Obituary
Elise Grace Paine was born June 21, 2012, to Jonathan and Jennifer (Wojcik) Paine and big brother Nathan. She died unexpectedly on June 19, 2026, two days before her 14th birthday.
I have helped Elise write eleven theater bios to date. This will be her last. Elise was our shining star. Her confidence to sing, dance, and act on stage were remarkable. She sang everywhere she went, from home to school, to activities, and walking her favorite dog, Wesley. Her life was our favorite drama. Elise was going into 8th grade at Brunswick Middle School, where she excelled in her classes and received Pride awards, but really just loved to see her friends there. She was a part of several local theater groups, including Medina County Show Biz, Buckeye Community Theater, Near West Theater, Cassidy Theater Summer Camp, and Brunswick Middle School Drama Club. Elise was living her Disney dream, having starred as Ariel in the Little Mermaid Jr. and rehearsing to play Evie in Disney’s Descendants this July, one of her favorite TV movies. Descendants was to be her 11th show credit. Elise loved her family and friends fiercely and enjoyed hanging out, playing games, swimming, doing nails, being crafty, and traveling. Elise also played Brunswick Travel Soccer, practiced tumbling, dance, and voice, and was a member of a fantastic Girl Scout troop during her short life. She had a soft spot for animals and loved to visit dolphins, sea turtles, and manatees in their natural beach habitats. Elise dreamed of performing on Broadway someday, but also had a desire to be a Disney princess, music teacher, or music therapist. Elise was a radiant light, a true friend, kind, fierce, brave, and joyful. The world was better with her in it, and she left a mark on this world far greater than the nearly 14 years she was in it.
Elise is also survived by her doting grandparents, Christine Vanecko-Gonzalez and Rick Gonzalez, Frank and Diane (Merrill) Paine, and John and Judy (Kessler) Wojcik; Babcia Mary Wojcik; Aunts and Uncles, Jackie Wojcik, Jonathan and Katie (Terifaj) Wojcik, Joel Paine, Adam and Julia (Smith) Paine; The little cousins she adored, James and Emilia Paine and Lily Wojcik; And many more great-aunts, great-uncles, and second cousins.
A visitation will be held at Jardine Funeral Home, 15822 Pearl Rd., Strongsville, OH on Wednesday, June 24, 2026 from 2:00-7:00pm. We will celebrate Elise’s life during a service at First Lutheran Church, 19419 Royalton Rd., Strongsville, OH on Thursday, June 25, 2026 at 1:00pm.
No flowers please. Memorial contributions in Elise's name may be made to a local theater through donating your time, seeing a show, or your monetary donation. Donate at https://medinashowbiz.org.
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