Dear family, friends, and loved ones,
Our hearts are completely broken. Yesterday, on August 30th, our world was shattered when we lost our sweet, beautiful mother, Elizabeth Octavien. Words cannot express the overwhelming grief and deep hole her passing has left in our lives.
Elizabeth was truly the heart and strength of our family. For years, she dedicated her life as a compassionate dietitian at Florida Medical Center and Tampa General Hospital, selflessly caring for others, nurturing their health, and bringing comfort and hope to countlessly many patients and colleagues. Tragically, eight years ago, illness struck her life. After spending a lifetime caring for everyone else, she spent her final years in a nursing home, bedbound and unable to care for herself.
Through all her suffering, and even after facing the unbearable heartbreak of losing her only son, Willa, just last year on March 30, 2025, her spirit remained resilient.
Now, as her daughters, Wilda and Willisa, we are left to navigate the painful reality of life without both our brother and our sweet mother. We want nothing more than to give our mom the peaceful, beautiful, and dignified homegoing service she so deeply deserves after fighting such a long, hard battle—reunited at last in spirit with her beloved son.
Many of you have reached out asking how you can support us during this painful time. We created this page to help ease the heavy financial strain of funeral costs, memorial arrangements, and final expenses so we can focus on honoring her memory.
If you feel moved to donate, any amount—no matter how small—would mean the world to us and help lighten this heavy burden. If you are unable to give financially, we ask that you please keep our family in your prayers and share this page.
Thank you from the very bottom of our broken hearts for standing by us, loving our mother, and helping us say our final goodbyes.
With all our love and deepest gratitude,
Her Daughters, Wilda & Willisa
