Lourita was born in 1928 to Hilda and William Ellis in Los Angeles. She passed away on March 23, 2015 surrounded by her daughters, and her care giver Elena Cortez. Lourita graduated from El Monte High and attended Cal State L.A. and Occidental College to pursue her career as an elementary school teacher. She was a devoted teacher for over 35 years at South Pasadena, Montebello, and High Point Academy in Pasadena. Her interests in history, Native American culture, music, and theater flowed into her teaching and challenged her students to develop their unique talents and interests. She had something positive to say about every child she taught. She directed and scripted plays at high point academy and continued to act and participate in children's theater through Nine o'clock Players Theater for Children in Los Angeles.
Lourita was a passionate USC Trojan fan, an outstanding cook, a floral artist, an avid reader, traveler, and philanthropist for many causes. Her home was often full of friends and family to celebrate the holidays, and to share fabulous food, flowers, love, and laughter.
Two wonderful husbands, John O. MacNeill and Frank D. Grosso, and son, John C. MacNeill preceded her in death. She will be dearly missed by her daughters Kathy MacNeill and Elizabeth MacNeill Crown, son in-law Bill Crown, and granddaughter, Anna Yoshino.
Memorial service and reception will be held on April 25 at 11 am at the Cal Tech Athenaeum, 551 South Hill Ave., Pasadena. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to USC, Nine O'Clock Players Assistance League, an animal shelter, or public library.