Elena Micu died on February 9 at Sharp Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa. She was born in Calarasi, Romania, on April 14, 1946, the daughter of Ioan and Valeria Petrescu and youngest sister to George, Alexandru, and Dumitru. Elena is survived by her husband Simion, by her son Anderson and his wife Christine, and by her daughter Aurora and her husband Jonathan. For many years Elena battled chronic arthritis and the associated pain. In spite of this, she went on to lead a rich and fulfilling personal and professional life. Inspired by her three brothers she pursued a career in Mechanical Engineering, earning Masters's Degree in the field. She practiced her specialty in engineering and educational roles throughout her career, in both Romania and the US. Elena loved life, her personality defined by a perpetual smile and sunny disposition. Her home was always beautiful and filled with flowers, pictures of her family and pets, and souvenirs of places she had visited. She loved to read, travel, and share her experiences with family and friends. Her last road trip, in November 2020, that took her and Simion from New Jersey to their new California home of Santee, through national parks and spectacular landscape, was a permanent source of happy recollections. She instantly embraced the Southern California sky and scenery, constantly excited about her new, always-blooming roses in the backyard. As a mother, wife, and friend she was selfless, kind, caring, and loving to everyone around her, with a natural gift of always seeing the silver lining in the most difficult situations. She was the soul of her family, near and extended, and the happiness she bestowed will comfort all those who miss her so dearly. To honor her love of animals, the family respectfully requests that, if so inclined, her friends donate to the ASPCA in her memory.