Elva Rae Vollbrecht

Elva Rae Wilson Vollbrecht passed away peacefully on February 13, 2026 in Ithaca, New York. She was born on January 16, 1937 in Monessen, PA to Edna Gilman Wilson and Clyde Wilson. Elva held a BA in English from Waynesburg College and taught English at Monessen High School before moving to Ithaca with her then-husband James Holman in 1963. She moved to Carlsbad CA in 1984, married Clarke E. Vollbrecht in 1986, and then returned to her beloved Ithaca in 2020.

Elva is survived by her two children Amy Holman and Lee Holman, her daughter-in-law Hana Holman, and grandchildren Brendan and Morgan Casey and Megan and Travis Holman. She is also survived by her two stepchildren David Vollbrecht and Donna Sanford, David’s wife Susan, Donna’s husband Steve, and grandchildren Christopher, Sarah, and Nicholas. She said that her children were her greatest accomplishment.

Active in many civic organizations in both Ithaca and Carlsbad, some of her happiest moments were as Ithaca City Council alderman (1972-1983) and in multiple roles at the local and state levels in the American Association of University Women in both New York State and California. She was instrumental in the California AAUW Special Projects and Legal Advocacy Fund and was an active volunteer in the California North County Health Services. One of her proudest achievements was the installation of the walk light at the corner of Green and Cayuga Streets in Ithaca. A lifelong theatre devotee, Elva appeared as Mrs. Draper in the 1984 production of State of the Union. In addition, Elva worked at Baker Travel in Ithaca and Financial Focus in Carlsbad.

At Elva’s request, no service will be held. Donations may be sent to the Ithaca chapter of Planned Parenthood or the American Association of University Women.