Elaine Iba, masters jumper and football star, dies at age 50 in SoCal
Elaine loved to fish.
Elaine was a world-ranked masters long jumper in the late 1990s.
“Participating in Masters track and field really opened doors for me,” she told a website for USC, her alma mater. “The pinnacle of my Masters experience was when I was invited to run an exhibition race at the 2000 U.S. Track & Field Olympic Trials. What an experience, to race in front of 20,000 spectators!”
She was a freshman on the Saddleback College track team — at age 41.
She was the subject of a Los Angeles Times article in March 2001.
She was on the 2011 roster of the Southern California Breakers, a women’s professional football team.
Randy wrote on CaringBridge:
As most of you know, Elaine plays women’s tackle football. In early March she played quarterback in a scrimmage before the start of the season (yes, I’m married to the quarterback — every boy’s dream, eh?!). She got hit pretty hard multiple times and hurt her ribs on her right side. She thought they were bruised. After a few weeks, she noticed that when she took deep breaths it felt like a smoggy day. This was around March 17, 2011.
By 31 March it hadn’t changed so she went to the doctor. A chest X-ray was taken, with an initial diagnosis of atelectasis (like a mini collapsed lung) in the right lung. No atelectasis symptoms were present, though. Doctor directed Elaine to perform deep breathing exercises to open up the lungs.
Elaine saw no improvement by April 12, 2011, and she had now developed “typical” atelectasis symptoms, such as coughing. A second X-ray was taken, showing no change. Doctor ordered a CT scan in case there was a blood clot. CT was done on 13 April. This is where the s#$t hit the fan. The doctor called Elaine and told her the results showed the following:No blood clots.
A couple lumpy structures on R side, one a cavity.
Swollen glands on R side
Small amount of fluid on R side.
Oh yeah – and there were several broken ribs!She referred Elaine to a lung specialist, who of course wasn’t available for two weeks. During that time her symptoms worsened.
This doctor ordered a PET scan and a bone scan. The results freaked him out. He saw cancer in her spine and other bones, and was worried about spinal cord involvement and spinal collapse.
On May 5 he had her go to the hospital immediately. She was there for a day and a half. She had a 3-hour MRI, which showed cancer tumors everywhere (it’s easier to say where they were not rather than where they were, but I’m not going to say at all). But there was no spinal cord involvement and the danger of spinal collapse didn’t appear to exist. She was discharged. This was our welcome to cancer.
Elaine began her first chemo session on May 17. Her chemo was “metronomic” — low-dose applied more frequently than the standard. Standard is once every 3 weeks; Elaine’s was once per week for 3 weeks, then 1 week off. Metronomic has been shown to work better in many cases.
Randy also wrote:
Elaine did not practice any particular religion. However, she grew up in a family that exposed her to Buddhism and she grew to like some of the Buddhist traditions and rituals. She had started to investigate these traditions and rituals prior to her passing and while she did not leave any specific instructions we think she would have liked to have a service founded in some of these traditions.
In lieu of flowers or other offerings, I think Elaine would have wanted everyone to select their favorite charities to offer a donation in her name, especially those affiliated with the fight over lung cancer. Lung Cancer Alliance and LUNGevity Foundation are two important ones that come to mind, but if you have a favorite or local charity then please feel free to make a donation there.
From the Los Angeles Times obituary:
January 21, 1961 – August 20, 2011
Extraordinary wife, daughter, sister, aunt and friend passed away after a brief battle with lung cancer. Born in Downey, CA, Elaine spent her adult life in Mission Viejo/Trabuco Canyon area. An electrical engineer employed by Raytheon in Fullerton, her passion was pursuing athletic endeavors.She competed in USA Bobsled Team Trials and America’s Cup races, competed in the U.S. and Europe with the USA Skeleton Team, competed on the Masters Track & Field circuit, played women’s basketball, was an avid saltwater fisherman, and played Women’s Professional Tackle Football, concluding her career as a captain and quarterback for the Southern California Breakers. Along the way Elaine made many life-long friends.
There is not a moment when she will not be remembered and missed by those whose lives she touched. Elaine is survived by her husband of 19 years, Randy Messenger, mother June, step-mother Margaret, sisters Nadine, Diane, Lynn, brother Wayne, step-sister Mylene, and many adoring nieces and nephews. Memorial service to be held Sept. 1 at 11:00 a.m., Orange County Buddhist Church, 909 South Dale Ave., Anaheim, CA 92804. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Elaine’s name to Lung Cancer Alliance, LUNGevity Foundation, or your favorite charity
22 Responses
Elaine Iba was a wonderful, wonderful person, and that is an understatement. What a joy it was to talk to her at nationals, where she would compete in the sprints, triple jump, and perhaps long jump.
Elaine was kind, smart, extremely personable, and just great to be around. It is very hard to type this through my tears. “In lane 4, from Trabuco Canyon, California, ELAINE IBA.”
Elaine Iba was a great person and I will always remember her for that beautiful smile when she would greet me at track meets. Elaine you will be truely missed.
Elaine was a wonderful person to be around. She always had an encouraging spirit.
As mentioned ahead and many of her friends will follow
Elaine – I hate to say – was – a just wonderful person/athlete. She will be remembered as such.
Whe shared many talks and even more laughs at the long jump pit in St.Barbara, she was the happy kid,
I was the happy “adult”
Iam truly still in shock.
Christel
I met Elaine briefly in Boston during a championship meet; we chatted during our 60m warmups and before the race but that was enough for her to leave a big impression. She was gracious, funny, and kind. All the best to her family and friends.
Elaine was awesome in every sense of the word. She lived life fully with joy and compassion. She serves as a bright light of the best we all can strive to be!
Yes, Ken and I were both shocked and saddened to hear about Elaine’s death. She was one of the first people I met in master’s track and was always to cheerful and encouraging to others. I remember when she told me she was training to do the skeleton in the Olympics. What a great athlete and person. I will miss her smiling face and great spirit.
Randy says Elaine was in Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo when she died. Her family lives in Trabuco Canyon.
It is so hard to put into words how amazing Elaine is. She was an awesome athlete, but most of all she had a heart of Gold. She is the greatest friend anyone could ask for. Not only did she become my best friend, but a big part of my life and she and Randy are apart of our family.
We are the Three Amigas, #40 #81 #88….
Elaine was an inspiration, a motivator and an awesome teammate.
Hearing of the saddest news of losing my best friend was devastating… as tears could not express the sadness …
Randy is an awesome husband to Elaine, they are both very fortunate to have each other. When people say a “match made in heaven” this was Elaine and Randy…. two amazing people..
I will miss my friend dearly… her caring, compassion and desire in sports… but most of all her radiant smile… she has a smile like no other… lights up a room and life.
I love and miss you my friend… Will always have you in my heart and share all great things your brought and taught me in my life…
Another beautiful person gone too soon….a poignant reminder to cherish every moment with loved ones. Rest In Peace Elaine.
Dear Elaine, I am in shock. I will miss you deeply. When we met at a meet many many years ago I was in awe of you abilities. Everything thing you seemed to try you mastered. You were particularly good in the long jump, though.
One fond memory involved you opening your first javelin at CSU Long Beach (I think it was a Striders Meet). You asked all the fellows if anyone had a pocket knife with which to the cardboard tube. After no response, I dug into my purse, handed you my pocket knife, and said, “Boy Scout 10 Essentials, you know!” We laughed and laughed!
Years after receiving degrees in engineering you decided to return to a Saddleback Community college to compete in the athletic events with the youngin’s. You were very brave.
When you told me about learning to bobsled and trying out for the Olympics, I instantly elevated you to “Wonder Woman” status.
My friend, smile down upon us who continue to compete, and we will try to live up to your excellence.
-Karen Vaughn
Sorry for the typos. Am still in tears. KV
By the way, that’s a wonderful photo of Elaine jumping. A woman who was beautiful in every possible way.
Rest in peace Elaine, you will be missed greatly.
All these stories describe Elaine perfectly. She was such a great competitor & delightful to be around. We had lots of good track memories:-)
As Jai said above- “Another beautiful person gone too soon….a poignant reminder to cherish every moment with loved ones. Rest In Peace Elaine.”
Fellow Masters sprinter Dan Girling called me last night with the news of Elaine’s passing. Unbelievable, and so sad at such a young age. I knew her only in passing, but she was a member of the SoCal group who went to the Masters Nationals in Maine in 1998, where I think we all came away with medals. Watching her at the many meets over the years where our paths crossed, it was clear that she was a Force of Nature, burning brightly, but now extinguished prematurely. And I had no idea that her sporting prowess was spread so wide.
My heartfelt condolences go to all her family and friends.
Elaine was one of the first people I met when I started running masters races at the Visalia Classic. She was friendly and took a genuine interest in everyone she met. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family.
Elaine I don’t want to say that I am going to miss you because I know that I am – – your beautiful face and smiling eyes is what I remember most. You are such a joy and dear to be around. A women I admired, because of your will to be great at whatever you set your mind and body to do – – no limits. I recall the opportunity I had to run a leg in the 4 x 100 at the USCAA meet in California – – Elaine asked that I run her leg – it was the start leg OMG I was so darn nervous because I wasn’t prepared, from the sidelines she coached me with the words you can do this and I did to my surprise. The reality of you not physically being around is not reality. Randy I don’t know you but I know you know that you are and have been blessed by such a person entering your life.
Please know my heartfelt condolences and prayers are towards you and Elaine’s family and friends.
Still one of the most engaging people I have ever met in masters T&F. What a warm feeling I would have after talking to Elaine. Why did I feel so great? Because I had just talked to Elaine Iba, that’s why.
One of the first people I met back in ’94. Jai said it perfectly. Elaine will be terribly missed…thoughts and prayers to her family.
January 12, 2012
I just learned of Elaine’s death.
Oddly enough…I was expecting to be filled with grief these recent moments…but all I can think about is how lucky I am to have had such a warm, caring and inspirational friend. I keep seeing her face, hearing her voice and feeling her kindness…as I recall sliding, traveling, and exchanging emails, cards, talking about women’s football, etc.
I knew her from the bobsled/skeleton world.
I don’t even have words to say how much I miss a dear friend. She was an amazing woman who will continue to inspire me. I…I just miss her so much. Me and all my family do. She was taken too soon from us and those who didn’t know her have missed out on meeting an incredible person. I will forever miss her and she will NEVER ever be forgotten by those who love her.
So now I say, see you in heaven in 50 or so years. Save me a spot next to you.
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